This monograph by Fr. Gijo Johny is the fruit of sustained intellectual discipline and patient scholarly dedication. It undertakes a rigorous and nuanced synthesis of the theological vision articulated in the Rule of the Congregation with the Eucharistic corpus of the New Testament, allowing both sources to enter into a careful and illuminating dialogue. At the same time, the study situates the institution of the Eucharist within its historical and biblical horizons, thereby grounding theological reflection in a methodologically sound and textually responsible framework. In recognising the scholarly merit of this work, I am pleased to commend the author for his contribution and to extend my best wishes for its favourable academic reception and enduring significance.

   BISHOP PAULY KANNOOKADAN          
DIOCESE OF IRINJALAKUDA

Gijo Johny is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Irinjalakuda, Kerala. He completed his philosophical and theological formation at St Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam; where he obtained the degrees of B.Ph and B.Th. He subsequently earned the Licentiate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum – Rome. He recently holds the degree of Doctor of Biblical Theology by Jnana Deepa, Pontifical Athenaeum, Pune. He is the author of a Malayalam commentary on the Gospel according to Matthew, entitled Rakshakante Ulpathiyude Grandham. He currently serves as the Director of Sahrdaya Lumen Academy, Irinjalakuda, Kerala.