by P Fintan Lyons OSB. Published by Columba Books, 2020. Reviewed by Diana Atkinson

Lyons offers a feast of theological and liturgical issues surrounding food and the Eucharist within the long history of Western Christianity.

Heavier theological chapters are interspersed with fascinating incidents and illustrations around the feasting and fasting of pope, monk or monarch. Many will enjoy dips into art, music and pageantry as part of non-food feasting. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the northern European reformers.

Lyons’ extensive research is readily accessible with subheadings, endnotes, references and index.

This is a history of male privilege in the Church — the ability of an elite to choose to fast or feast, and impose regulations on others. Throughout centuries Christians have fasted. Lyons would like religious reasons to be among physical or psychological purposes for fasting today.

I read with increasing disquiet. Women are largely and inexcusably omitted from this historical focus on Eucharist and food. Millions still unable to choose to feast or fast deserve more than a few sentences. A persistent thread is of unworthiness. There is little that is new in environmental understandings and cows seem to cop responsibility for much of climate change.

It may provide a useful background for contemporary discussions on Eucharist. Conclusions may surprise you.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 252 September 2020: 31