The Eucharistic Spirituality of Teilhard de Chardin

Becoming the Body of Christ: Prayer and Practice

• Thursdays during Lent 2023
• Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16 and 23
• 6:30-8 p.m. central time

Led by Dennis Coday and Fr. Garry Richmeier

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) was a Jesuit priest, whose work as a geologist and paleontologist informed his theology and spirituality of the cosmos.

Louis Savary, who holds doctorates in mathematical statics and theology, has studied Teilhard for 40 years. We will use Savary’s book Teilhard de Chardin on the Eucharist: Envisioning the Body of Christ to explore Teilhard’s eucharist spirituality

“The Eucharist is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives and fill us with his grace.”

— Pope Francis

The book has two parts, the first half, more theological and foundational, explains Teilhard’s key ideas about God, Christ, the Eucharist, Earth, people, science and evolution. The second half takes many of these ideas and, from them, develops spiritual practices focused on the Eucharist.

The first half of the book is designed to make you think, the second half invites you to pray.

We will divide our weekly sessions like the book: the first half will be a study of Teilhard’s theology and in the second half our time together, we will practice some of the meditation exercises Savary suggests in the second half of his book.

This U.S. Catholic church is in the midst of a three-year National Eucharistic Revival at aims at reinvigorating the understanding and devotion to the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our faith. This is the first in several study and prayer experiences the Renewal Center plans on offering as part of the national revival.

Ordering the Book

The Renewal Center will order a limited number of copies of the book that we will sell at cost plus shipping to people who can pick up the books here at the Center.

We are working to get a discount for folks who register for the class and want to order a book on their own. Check with the Renewal Center staff before you purchase the book.

Photo 66325156 / Cosmos © Denys Bilytskyi | Dreamstime.com

Outline of our Sessions

Feb. 23, Thursday 6:30-8 p.m. central time

1. Study: Read and Discuss Part I Introduction and Chapter 1 Basic Teilhardian Principles.
2. Practice: Read and discuss Part II Intro: The Eucharist and do exercise about using imagination in prayer.

March 2, Thursday 6:30-8 p.m. central time

1. Study: Chapter 2 Teilhard’s Eucharistic Principles and Chapter 3 Eucharist in the New Testament
2. Practice: Stage One Suggestions, Exercise 1-4

March 9, Thursday 6:30-8 p.m. central time

1. Study: Chapter 4 The Evolving Christ
2. Practice: Stage One Suggestions, Exercise 5-7

March 16, Thursday 6:30-8 p.m. central time

1. Study: Chapter 5 Teilhard’s Mass on the World
2. Practice: Stage Two Suggestions, Exercise 8-11

March 23, Thursday 6:30-8 p.m. central time

1. Study: Chapter 6 The Heart of Christ
2. Practice: Stage Two Suggestions, Exercise 12-14