Real presence under digital conditions?

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Christians were prevented from receiving the Eucharist for the first time in history due to the suspension of public church services. Various digital liturgical offers such as live-stream services were developed and improved to compensate for this loss. Discussing the pastoral chances and theological limits of digitalization in religious contexts, the authors conclude that physical participation in the Eucharistic liturgy cannot be substituted by virtual offers. Regarding the often-distorted perception of time during the pandemic, they highlight the therapeutic dimension of the Eucharist, in which the past, present, and future are interwoven (signum rememorativum, signum demonstrativum, and signum prognosticum). To realize the gift of the Eucharist and to gain a new awareness of the salutary and transforming presence of Christ, the authors point to the practice of Eucharistic adoration, which nevertheless remains oriented towards the communal celebration of the Eucharist and the real encounter with Christ in Communion.