The Anamnetic Dimension of Christian “Idea Feasts”

Abstract

The Christian celebrations that make up the liturgical year primarily commemorate great salvific events, or facts in the history of salvation, and it is as “commemorative feasts” that they have been incorporated into the annual cycle of liturgical observances. However, the liturgical calendar also includes celebrations which did not originate as annual commemorations of specific events in salvation history. Referred to as “idea feasts” or “dogmatic feasts” in the literature on liturgical history and liturgical theology, they stem from a dogmatic reflection on Revelation and, in some cases, also from private revelations and the devotional trends of a given period. This paper reflects on the anamnetic dimension of these celebrations, asking whether – and if so, in what sense – “idea feasts” are an anamnesis of the Mystery of Christ. In light of the contemporary theology of the liturgical year, this question seems somewhat rhetorical. Nevertheless, on account of the many misunderstandings, ambiguities and uncertainties, the problem itself demands further exploration and clarification.