In Memory of Me: A Meditation on the Roman Canon by Milton Walsh (review)

108 ANTIPHON 17.1 (2013) Milton Walsh In Memory of Me: A Meditation on the Roman Canon San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2011 197 pages. Paperback. $16.95. The focus and inherent value of Milton Walsh’s latest book is to assist readers in pondering upon the newly translated Roman Canon so that we might become familiar with that which we say and do and believe. The primary focus is not necessarily the recent English translation of the Roman Missal, nor the technical details behind the translation process, nor a comparison between the “new” and “old” translations, but the book’s scope is particularly trained upon the newly translated Eucharistic Prayer I, making it one of the first books to do so since the First Sunday of Advent 2011 when the U.S. bishops promulgated the new translation of the Roman Missal, and by other English-speaking conferences before that. Historical background, scriptural foundations, and theological reflections combine to create a superb resource that can only deepen and widen one’s attentiveness to this ancient prayer. Walsh carefully avoids treating the Canon dryly as a detached academic document on one extreme or superficially as with a sort of casual glance on the other. Rather, he demonstrates effectively the depth and richness of what can be, and is, considered the Church’s most esteemed liturgical prayer. Walsh structures the short chapters to mimic the key sections of the Eucharistic Prayer, which gives the book an instinctually familiar flow. Both texts have prefaces and both conclude with a rousing “amen” to the faith. Walsh adds an appendix wherein he reflects upon those saints mentioned in the Canon, allowing the reader to become more acquainted with the biography of those figures who have gone before her and who have been given a special place in the Canon like jewels within a crown. Here, Walsh expands upon the fifth chapter’s treatment of the twenty-four martyrs listed in the Memento of the Living and the fourteenth chapter’s treatment of the Memento of the Dead and the fourteen holy men and women led by John the Baptist. Chapter seven, “It Is Time for the Lord to Act,” is particularly rich in insight. Just prior to the Institution Narrative the priest prays, “Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect; make it spiritual and acceptable …” These five adjectives present in the Latin were rendered 109 BOOK REVIEWS to four in the former English translation. Walsh explains well the biblical foundations of them all, including “adscriptam”. The often-used caricature that Catholics are ignorant of Scripture might hold some truth, but the Roman Canon itself contradicts such a false notion. Walsh writes in such a way as to ensure that one cannot go a paragraph without reading a reference to a specific Scripture citation. Indeed, a line of Scripture accompanies every chapter heading. That alone is a richness to harvest and consume. Within the foreword, Archbishop DiNoia rightly “encourages [readers ] to keep a copy of the Roman Missal next to [their] bible.” There are a few noticeable absences. Whereas a strength of the book is its emphasis on scriptural pedigree, a weakness is the absence of any scriptural index which would be helpful, for instance, to homilists who desire to demonstrate ties between particular Mass parts and the proclaimed Scriptures of the day. And present , though scarce, are footnotes, which could reveal sources and encourage further reading, but then, at least endnotes were not used. Walsh’s four-page treatment of the mysterium fidei in chapter nine lacks adequate reflection upon the eschatological dimension of the Canon. These omissions are merely proof that the reader will want more of what is such a good read. Unlike a wide swath of English books on the liturgy, Walsh’s work provides both the English and Latin texts of the Canon. Additionally, Walsh often alludes to the Latin to demonstrate the theological and etymological richness of the Canon. Such demonstrations benefit the reader no matter what his educational background and helps to reinforce the reality that any vernacular is only valuable insofar as it is faithful to the language of origin...