The Eucharistic Trait of Human Spirituality. An Analytical Study of the Writing of Alicja Lenczewska

Abstract

The main goal of this presentation was to show the Eucharist as a source and school in shaping human spirituality according to the teaching of Alicja Lenczewska – a mystic from Szczecin. This goal was achieved, in accordance with the assumptions of the methodology, in second stages. In the first place, the nature of the Eucharist as understood by Alicja Lenczewska was highlighted. The analysis of her works allowed us to draw the conclusion that she perceived the Eucharist as an expression of Christ's love, who offers himself in a sacramental way in order to bring all people to God. Therefore, in her understanding, the Eucharist is the sacrifice of Christ, who gives himself to God for the salvation of all people, and at the same time it is a feast in which each participant can experience the joy of being together with Him. In the next step of the analysis of her works, the question of man’s response to Christ’s sharing in the Eucharist was taken up. According to her teaching, this response on the part of man will be expressed most fully in his acceptance of faith, the depth of which will be his acceptance of the word of God proclaimed during the Eucharist and in his being guided by it in his daily life, and in his eadiness to show forgiveness towards the guilty.