The virtual sacrament : a literature survey of the Eucharist as liturgical ritual online

Abstract

In this study, the Eucharist as a liturgical ritual celebrated in the online space is explored. The study begins with an exploration of the terms worship, liturgy and ritual, settling on the term liturgical ritual. The methodology of practical theological interpretation is then considered, with the first step, the descriptive-empirical task being undertaken. The conceptual framework for the study is located within the postmodern discourse of liminality, using the metaphors of language, play, bricolage, embodiment, time and space to explore the intersection of liturgical ritual, network culture and liminality. A literature survey considers the research completed in the area of online ritual, and highlights two major themes, those of embodiment and community, which challenge the Eucharist online becoming a reality.