Holy Communion in Contagious Times: Celebrating the Eucharist

In this review Richard A Burridge's book is presented as an informed, theological response to extraordinary circumstances. The book is for clergy, church leaders and thoughtful laypeople wrestling with whether and how to celebrate the eucharist in contagious times. Burridge surveys both practical adaptations and theological implications, and the single biggest reason to read it is its combination of clear examples and careful argumentation that treat online and physically altered eucharistic practice as serious questions rather than temporary fixes.

Key Features

• Range of options: Burridge examines many proposed adaptations such as fasting the eucharist, spiritual communion, and lay presidency so readers can compare their theological and pastoral implications.
• Physical practice focus: The book discusses solo, concelebrated, drive-in and drive-thru eucharists and extended communion to help ministers weigh safety and sacramental integrity.
• Online sacrament analysis: It assesses computer services for avatars, broadcast eucharists and narrowcast communions using webinar software like Zoom to clarify what online celebration would mean.
• Theology and ordination: Alongside practices, Burridge tackles concepts of church and ordination so readers understand how changes affect ecclesiology and authority.
• Practical and provocative: The writing aims to be both informative and challenging, prompting conversation rather than offering one-size-fits-all instructions.

Who It's For

This book is best for priests, ministers, church councils and theological students who need a thoughtful guide to adapting eucharistic life under public-health constraints. It suits readers who want clear discussion of both physical adaptations like drive-in communions and digital options such as streamed or webinar-based services.

Those seeking liturgical rubrics or step-by-step service sheets will need supplementary liturgical resources; this work focuses on theology, practice options and ecclesial questions rather than providing ritual templates.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive survey of alternatives gives leaders vocabulary and frameworks for decision making.
• Balances practical scenarios with theological reflection so adaptations are not treated as simply pragmatic.
• Addresses online and physical forms side by side, clarifying how each affects church identity.

Cons

• Not a how-to manual for liturgies, so those needing concrete service texts will need other materials.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Burridge's book is a valuable, economical guide for anyone responsible for sacramental life during public-health crises. It gives leaders and informed lay readers the theological tools and practical scenarios needed to make defensible decisions about physical and online eucharistic practice, making it good value for those who need thoughtful, well-rounded analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book argue that online eucharists are valid?
The book examines the theological implications and different proposals rather than offering a simple verdict, so readers are given frameworks to judge validity for their tradition.

Is it practical for parish planning?
It offers practical scenarios and considerations useful for planning, but not detailed liturgical texts; use it alongside service resources.

Who should read this first?
Clergy and church leadership will benefit most, followed by theological students and engaged laypeople involved in sacramental decisions.