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Our One Great Act of Fidelity: Waiting for Christ in the Eucharist
From the author of the bestselling, The Holy Longing , comes a book about the central expression of faith for hundreds of millions of Christians, the Eucharist.
More so than anything else, the Eucharist is what anchors many peoples' life, prayer, and ultimately the way they live their lives. In this deeply personal book, Father Ronald Rolheiser delves into the history and meaning of this sacred tradition, drawing upon the insights of various scripture scholars, theologians, and church teachings. With personal warmth and great insight, he reflects on his own particular Roman Catholic upbringing and the centrality that the Eucharist has within that tradition. At the same time, he looks at other denominations’ traditions around the Eucharist. Our One Great Act of Fidelity is an investigation into the ways people secure their faith and belief and discover true intimacy with God and each other. Ultimately, however, it is a spiritual and a personal statement of how Ronald Rolheiser understands the Eucharist and why he celebrates it every day.
Ronald Rolheiser is a specialist in the field of spirituality and is currently President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. Father Rolheiser is the author of The Holy Longing, The Restless Heart, Forgotten Among the Lilies , The Shattered Lantern , and Against an Infinite Horizon . He writes a weekly column that appears in more than 90 Catholic publications. More information on his work can be found at RonRolheiser.com.
More so than anything else, the Eucharist is what anchors many peoples' life, prayer, and ultimately the way they live their lives. In this deeply personal book, Father Ronald Rolheiser delves into the history and meaning of this sacred tradition, drawing upon the insights of various scripture scholars, theologians, and church teachings. With personal warmth and great insight, he reflects on his own particular Roman Catholic upbringing and the centrality that the Eucharist has within that tradition. At the same time, he looks at other denominations’ traditions around the Eucharist. Our One Great Act of Fidelity is an investigation into the ways people secure their faith and belief and discover true intimacy with God and each other. Ultimately, however, it is a spiritual and a personal statement of how Ronald Rolheiser understands the Eucharist and why he celebrates it every day.
Ronald Rolheiser is a specialist in the field of spirituality and is currently President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. Father Rolheiser is the author of The Holy Longing, The Restless Heart, Forgotten Among the Lilies , The Shattered Lantern , and Against an Infinite Horizon . He writes a weekly column that appears in more than 90 Catholic publications. More information on his work can be found at RonRolheiser.com.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 24, 2013
In this series of short reflections on the Eucharist, the main act of worship of most Christians, though not all, Ronald Rolheiser gives a wonderful cascade of images that would be just as impossible to fullstop into one or two simple sentences as it would be to collect a cascade of a mountain stream into a bucket. That image may seem a tad OTT but it reflects the wonderful over flowing nature of what he is trying to share. Just as you can't pin water down and the only way is to freeze it and then it is manageable but at that point it will have lost its essential strength so it is with the eucharist. In some ways, if you could define it, capture it in one sentence, sum it up, it would not be what it is. It is too complicated and simple at the same time for easy definition. ,Rolheiser is trying to share that wonder in these glimpses.
He is not trying to explain the eucharist, the bread and wine used by Christians and for some reminding them of Christ, for others becoming Him and understood in all sorts of different ways. Instead he is offering inroads into the mystery. Every page gives another angle, every angle widens the miracle. Although he is writing as a catholic he incorporates and enriches his reflections by using the wisdom of other Christian Traditions but also of Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. This is not in some patronizing or artificial way but in a genuine recognition of the depth of imagery and cross-fertilization that goes on in religious thinking.
From a positive direction, none of the chapters are more than 5 or 6 pages long and they are couched in simple though not simplistic language. I read it very easily over a short period of time, just a couple of evenings. A downside to this, is that it then seems quite a repetitiive book. Used over a longer period, this echoing or repetition of similar images and phrases would, I think, reinforce rather than annoy. They would serve to enhance the picture he is trying to share.
At one point he says:-
'Never travel with anyone who expects you to be interesting, lively and emotionally invested all the time. Real life doesn;t work like that. Neither does prayer. What sustains a relationship over the long term is ritual, routine, a regular rhythmn that incarnates the commitment'
and then he quotes the advice of Dietrich Bonhoeffer to newly married couples:-
'Now you are in love and you believe that your love can sustain your marriage. It can't. Your marriage will sustain your love'
This, Rolheiser says, is how Christians should understand the Eucharist. Its ritual and routine is the thing that sustains. Sometimes we will think of it with devotion, at other times we'll be half-hearted even slap-dash. No need for guilt but do not give up either.
For many Christians, certainly catholic Christians, this book may well enrich your approach to this central act of worship for us. You will not necessarily agree or find helpful everything he says, I didn't, but you will find something. The eucharist, he is telling us, is where we are strengthened but, perhaps much more importantly, it's where we can be the strenghtener.
As a practising catholic I found it a very positive book. The images and anecdotes he uses are, to a large extent, good ones. In one or two places I felt he overegged his souffle but on the whole there were more nods and smiles on my part then eyebrow raising or tuts. However i think if I revisit this I shall dip into it over a long period rather than wolfing it down in one over-indulgence
He is not trying to explain the eucharist, the bread and wine used by Christians and for some reminding them of Christ, for others becoming Him and understood in all sorts of different ways. Instead he is offering inroads into the mystery. Every page gives another angle, every angle widens the miracle. Although he is writing as a catholic he incorporates and enriches his reflections by using the wisdom of other Christian Traditions but also of Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. This is not in some patronizing or artificial way but in a genuine recognition of the depth of imagery and cross-fertilization that goes on in religious thinking.
From a positive direction, none of the chapters are more than 5 or 6 pages long and they are couched in simple though not simplistic language. I read it very easily over a short period of time, just a couple of evenings. A downside to this, is that it then seems quite a repetitiive book. Used over a longer period, this echoing or repetition of similar images and phrases would, I think, reinforce rather than annoy. They would serve to enhance the picture he is trying to share.
At one point he says:-
'Never travel with anyone who expects you to be interesting, lively and emotionally invested all the time. Real life doesn;t work like that. Neither does prayer. What sustains a relationship over the long term is ritual, routine, a regular rhythmn that incarnates the commitment'
and then he quotes the advice of Dietrich Bonhoeffer to newly married couples:-
'Now you are in love and you believe that your love can sustain your marriage. It can't. Your marriage will sustain your love'
This, Rolheiser says, is how Christians should understand the Eucharist. Its ritual and routine is the thing that sustains. Sometimes we will think of it with devotion, at other times we'll be half-hearted even slap-dash. No need for guilt but do not give up either.
For many Christians, certainly catholic Christians, this book may well enrich your approach to this central act of worship for us. You will not necessarily agree or find helpful everything he says, I didn't, but you will find something. The eucharist, he is telling us, is where we are strengthened but, perhaps much more importantly, it's where we can be the strenghtener.
As a practising catholic I found it a very positive book. The images and anecdotes he uses are, to a large extent, good ones. In one or two places I felt he overegged his souffle but on the whole there were more nods and smiles on my part then eyebrow raising or tuts. However i think if I revisit this I shall dip into it over a long period rather than wolfing it down in one over-indulgence
March 5, 2022
This slim book on the Eucharist has much to be pondered. This could be appreciated by a new comer to the Catholic faith or by someone who has been a faithful Catholic for decades. I will probably read this book more than once.
June 22, 2023
A poetic exploration of the Eucharist that is valid for all who take it seriously
“If you have received this well, you are what you have received.” - St Augustine
Rolheiser offers a beautiful text of exploration of the mystery of the Table of the Lord. The book is explicitly Roman Catholic, but if that’s not your tradition, like me, don’t let that dissuade you from reading. What you encounter here is an appeal to take Eucharist seriously, as something beyond mere symbol and rather a sacrament that draws us into the mystery of God. But not just a church mystery, rather something that shapes every part of our lives.
“One Great Act…” is divided into five sections.
Part one explores how the incarnation is reflected and present in the character and practice of Eucharist. Rolheiser explains how Eucharist can be understood and why it remains central to church tradition. In his practice it’s a daily observance, but even if you don’t want to take communion that regularly there is much to learn here.
Part two is worth the price of the book alone. 11 different dimensions of the Eucharist are explored, each of them a fascinating read. God’s embrace, Unity, Sacrifice, Mystery, Health, Patience and more are considered. The two standout chapters in this section (and the book) are 11 and 12. The former looks at Jesus’ actions of foot washing in John 13 as a model of mature discipleship, while chapter 12 sees Eucharist as an invitation to Justice.
Part three offers four spiritual aspects of the Eucharist: Receive, Give thanks, Break, and Share. Again, valuable content throughout. This four part spirituality is useful even if, unlike Rolheiser, you don’t engage with Eucharist as often as he does. Ironically, of course, if you don’t have Eucharist regularly in your tradition it’s likely that taking Eucharist regularly by yourself would be easily feasible. In which case you may then, if impacted by the book, want to consider how you could engage more with the spirituality he explains here.
Part 4 is essentially the conclusion and explores how Eucharist is our one great act of fidelity. the chapter feels repetitive until you realise it is the conclusion!
The reason being that part 5 is actually just three sermons from Augustine. I say just to indicate not the inferiority of this part but rather that they are offered without commentary. They are each stunning and another highlight of this book. Feel free to buy the book and begin here before reading the book from the start.
All in all this is a beautiful reflection on the centre of Christian ritual and liturgy. Deserved of the title “modern classic” I’d happily invite anyone interested in the Eucharist, regardless of tradition, to read this and reflect.
“If you have received this well, you are what you have received.” - St Augustine
Rolheiser offers a beautiful text of exploration of the mystery of the Table of the Lord. The book is explicitly Roman Catholic, but if that’s not your tradition, like me, don’t let that dissuade you from reading. What you encounter here is an appeal to take Eucharist seriously, as something beyond mere symbol and rather a sacrament that draws us into the mystery of God. But not just a church mystery, rather something that shapes every part of our lives.
“One Great Act…” is divided into five sections.
Part one explores how the incarnation is reflected and present in the character and practice of Eucharist. Rolheiser explains how Eucharist can be understood and why it remains central to church tradition. In his practice it’s a daily observance, but even if you don’t want to take communion that regularly there is much to learn here.
Part two is worth the price of the book alone. 11 different dimensions of the Eucharist are explored, each of them a fascinating read. God’s embrace, Unity, Sacrifice, Mystery, Health, Patience and more are considered. The two standout chapters in this section (and the book) are 11 and 12. The former looks at Jesus’ actions of foot washing in John 13 as a model of mature discipleship, while chapter 12 sees Eucharist as an invitation to Justice.
Part three offers four spiritual aspects of the Eucharist: Receive, Give thanks, Break, and Share. Again, valuable content throughout. This four part spirituality is useful even if, unlike Rolheiser, you don’t engage with Eucharist as often as he does. Ironically, of course, if you don’t have Eucharist regularly in your tradition it’s likely that taking Eucharist regularly by yourself would be easily feasible. In which case you may then, if impacted by the book, want to consider how you could engage more with the spirituality he explains here.
Part 4 is essentially the conclusion and explores how Eucharist is our one great act of fidelity. the chapter feels repetitive until you realise it is the conclusion!
The reason being that part 5 is actually just three sermons from Augustine. I say just to indicate not the inferiority of this part but rather that they are offered without commentary. They are each stunning and another highlight of this book. Feel free to buy the book and begin here before reading the book from the start.
All in all this is a beautiful reflection on the centre of Christian ritual and liturgy. Deserved of the title “modern classic” I’d happily invite anyone interested in the Eucharist, regardless of tradition, to read this and reflect.
December 16, 2024
Just when I thought I couldn’t learn anything new about the Eucharist, I started reading this book and Wow! The author shares terrific new insights, coupled with stories to illustrate his points. This is a phenomenal read!
January 31, 2021
In the ever increasing demand to speed up church services, some of the great traditions of the liturgy and sacraments have been sacrificed for expediency. In my experience, the Eucharist is one of those.
Rolheiser, a Catholic priest, does an excellent job outlining the criticality of the ritual of the Eucharist and its supernatural wonder.
This is a relatively quick read, with short chapters but with powerful content. Rolheiser touches on other aspects of 'ritual' and their importance in maintaining one's faith. Using Bonhoeffer's quote on marriage and love, he outlines how it's in the daily experience of marriage that our love for each other grows and strengthens. Following daily, weekly, monthly and annual rituals similarly assists to strengthen our faith. Certainly, we need too guard against 'going through the motions' and try to keep our heart appropriately inclined to Christ as we perform our rituals.
My only disappointment in the book was that Rolheiser, who partakes in the Eucharist daily, didn't share one of his 'practices' so we too could use it as we partake on a regular basis.
Recommended reading if you're uncertain as to the importance of the Eucharist in one's faith.
Rolheiser, a Catholic priest, does an excellent job outlining the criticality of the ritual of the Eucharist and its supernatural wonder.
This is a relatively quick read, with short chapters but with powerful content. Rolheiser touches on other aspects of 'ritual' and their importance in maintaining one's faith. Using Bonhoeffer's quote on marriage and love, he outlines how it's in the daily experience of marriage that our love for each other grows and strengthens. Following daily, weekly, monthly and annual rituals similarly assists to strengthen our faith. Certainly, we need too guard against 'going through the motions' and try to keep our heart appropriately inclined to Christ as we perform our rituals.
My only disappointment in the book was that Rolheiser, who partakes in the Eucharist daily, didn't share one of his 'practices' so we too could use it as we partake on a regular basis.
Recommended reading if you're uncertain as to the importance of the Eucharist in one's faith.
September 27, 2017
This book was very deep in theology and the Eucharist. We are souls that have a body so we have that need to be touched. We touch the Eucharist.
There are many dimensions to the Eucharist, it is simply where we are currently at, it is a sacrifice, it is a memorial of the pascal mystery, it is a call to step away from pride, and it calls us to act socially just not politically correct.
The Eucharist is love. Love and prayer can only be sustained over a long period of time through practice, ritual, routine, and a regular habit.
The author, Ronald Rolhheiser said, "If we would always wait until life was given to us as gift, as opposed to taking it as if by right, seizing it or raping it, we would never break a single commandment. Moreover, we would have in our lives the most important virtue of all the sense that all is gift, that nothing is owed us by right."
What a wonderful thought to leave on.
There are many dimensions to the Eucharist, it is simply where we are currently at, it is a sacrifice, it is a memorial of the pascal mystery, it is a call to step away from pride, and it calls us to act socially just not politically correct.
The Eucharist is love. Love and prayer can only be sustained over a long period of time through practice, ritual, routine, and a regular habit.
The author, Ronald Rolhheiser said, "If we would always wait until life was given to us as gift, as opposed to taking it as if by right, seizing it or raping it, we would never break a single commandment. Moreover, we would have in our lives the most important virtue of all the sense that all is gift, that nothing is owed us by right."
What a wonderful thought to leave on.
June 17, 2018
The Second Vatican Council said that the Eucharist was the "source and summit" of the Church's life. This idea comes across clearly in Ronald Rolheiser's meditation on the Eucharist. It offers insight into what the Eucharist is and its place in the life of the believer. This is not simply a pious "feel good" book but it challenges us to really live out the meaning to Eucharist in our day to day lives. The author has a gift for taking highly theological ideas and explaining them, making them understandable to ordinary people. He does this by drawing on his experience of other faith traditions and human experiences. One comes away from reading this book with a much more relational appreciation of Eucharist than one had at the outset. Eucharist is relating to Christ, to the Church, to the world and to each other.
November 13, 2020
This is the fourth book that I have read by Ronald Rolheiser and I can’t get enough of his reflections and knowledge of the Catholic Faith and the human condition. I read his books slowly in order to be able to absorb the deep truths of God’s mercy and love for us. I will be getting the next book of his on my list.
October 13, 2022
Classic Rolheiser
This work on the Eucharist is classic Rolheiser!
It is remarkably deep and yet clear enough that a child could understand the concepts. His eloquence is beautifully demonstrated in his discussion of the Eucharist. Wonderful book for anyone wanting to have a truly Eucharistic spirituality.
This work on the Eucharist is classic Rolheiser!
It is remarkably deep and yet clear enough that a child could understand the concepts. His eloquence is beautifully demonstrated in his discussion of the Eucharist. Wonderful book for anyone wanting to have a truly Eucharistic spirituality.
September 29, 2025
i think this book might genuinely have changed my life. I burst into tears two pages in because it spoke to things that my spirit has longed for and craved from Christ for years which are fulfilled in the Eucharist.
this book is so tender, does not pretend to have all the answers, but is at the same time completely revelatory.
a must read for all christians no matter your denomination.
this book is so tender, does not pretend to have all the answers, but is at the same time completely revelatory.
a must read for all christians no matter your denomination.
June 4, 2018
Very solid book. One takeaway was his statement that the bread and the wine are NOT the only things that SHOULD change at mass. We (our interior disposition) should be changed. Makes me wonder what I do right after mass?
September 1, 2019
This is it.
This is the book I was looking for, a comprehensive way of viewing the most important sacrament left to us. No nonsense about “Real Presence,” but a deep understanding of how Eucharist is meant to work in the life of the church, and Augustine’s three sermons, too!
This is the book I was looking for, a comprehensive way of viewing the most important sacrament left to us. No nonsense about “Real Presence,” but a deep understanding of how Eucharist is meant to work in the life of the church, and Augustine’s three sermons, too!
Read
November 5, 2020A good basic introduction to the Eucharist, approached from its various dimensions. A quick but thoughtful read. Lays out the landscape for further study.
September 17, 2023
Feeds my spirit!
August 7, 2014
This book came to me exactly when I needed this message. How do you explain our belief that when we receive the Eucharist it is the body and blood of Christ? There is no adequate way to do that and as Rolheiser states there is no adequate explanation for love, for embrace, and for the reception of life and spirit through touch. It is a mystery and beyond what we can explain in words. In the Eucharist God comes to us and we come with trust because we are not worthy of such a gift from our God. This book I will read several times because I need to and I hope that I can appreciate this gift from God of the real presence of Christ. One more line from Rolheiser before I finish my review. "The highest compliment we can give to God, our Creator, is to truly enjoy the gift of life. The best way to pay for a beautiful moment is to enjoy it."
October 16, 2011
I graciously received this book in a giveaway from first reads.
I believe the messages in the book were good, however I don't believe you needed 140 pages to get the point across. Many things were repeated in this book which made it a hard read at times. Not sure a whole book needed to be devoted to the Eucharist, it may have been better if this information would have been embedded in another religion book.
I believe the messages in the book were good, however I don't believe you needed 140 pages to get the point across. Many things were repeated in this book which made it a hard read at times. Not sure a whole book needed to be devoted to the Eucharist, it may have been better if this information would have been embedded in another religion book.
August 8, 2011
I won this book!!
I had always heard of Jesus turning water into wine but I never knew the water he used was not drinking water it was water that was used for washing your hands and feet when you entered homes.
God's body and blood, when we partake of the sacrament, communion, Eucharist we are getting closed to God and thanking him for all that was given up for us.
I had always heard of Jesus turning water into wine but I never knew the water he used was not drinking water it was water that was used for washing your hands and feet when you entered homes.
God's body and blood, when we partake of the sacrament, communion, Eucharist we are getting closed to God and thanking him for all that was given up for us.
December 9, 2012
Excellent book. As a long-time fan of Rolheiser's writings and insights, it was wonderful to read his Eucharistic reflections...I found it to be a very prayerful experience, and I know I will be drawing insights from it for a long time to come, both in teaching others as well as through application to my own life.
November 2, 2024
I loved this short collection of thoughts on the Eucharist from Rohlheiser. He’s Catholic, but I’ve always found his spiritual writings to be accessible to Protestants, and this book is no different. His reflections are thoughtful, beautiful and life-giving, covering the meaning and spiritual benefit of the Eucharist from many different angles. Highly recommend.
February 22, 2015
Borrowed this book from a friend and fellow choir member and really enjoyed it (far more than I thought I would!) This is a warm and welcoming book on the Eucharist and why we believe that it is actual body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord that we receive at Mass.
August 30, 2012
I found the book to be very profound and inspiring, each chapter is like a retreat. A book to read again and again, to savor and ponder.
September 4, 2012
I highly recommend this book for anyone
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
March 1, 2013
Good book on the spirituality of the Eucharist. Some chapters were good. Other chapters were very good. Unsure it this should get 3 or 4 stars. I decided to give it four.
May 7, 2014
We read this book for my small group at church. This book brought to life the Eucharist for me in ways I had never known before. It was very moving.
Read
January 24, 2017I found this a wonderful book to ponder the meaning of the Eucharist, not only as Sacrament but as a deepenening meaning of Community.
August 30, 2012
Explains on a manner that the average layman can understand!!
September 6, 2014
Heartfelt and eloquent reflections on the Eucharist.
September 15, 2015
Such great knowledge. Loved all the learning and growing closer to my Lord.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews