Modernist Spirituality

Abstract

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the biblical critic Alfred Loisy (1857–1940) advanced a reform agenda that had significant political and theological implications and that helped to define “Modernism.” Contemporary scholars have explored many facets of this reform agenda, but have not so far investigated Loisy’s ideas about ritual. Based on an analysis both of Loisy’s own religious practice and of his most important Modernist book, this article fills that gap. Loisy approached ritual, particularly the Eucharist, as an historian of religion with a growing interest in, and commitment to, comparative work. At the same time, Loisy celebrated the mystical and sacramental character of the Eucharist, its capacity to help Christians experience a genuine communion with God. This effort to combine critical history and Christian spirit, although imperfectly realized, defined Loisy’s Modernist spirituality.