Antropofagia católica: o ato de deglutir para encontrar a paz

Abstract

T This article examines the Catholic Eucharist through an anthropophagic lens, analyzing its impact on faith, inner peace, and the moral development of believers. A descriptive quali-quantitative approach was employed, involving 88 participants whose responses were collected via an online questionnaire. The theoretical framework draws on ecclesiastical documents (Ecumenical Councils and the Catechism of the Catholic Church), the works of Thomas Aquinas, and studies by anthropologist Alfred Métraux and Indigenous leader Davi Kopenawa,enabling a comparative analysis between Eucharistic practice and anthropophagic ritual. Findings indicate that the faithful recognize the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which is concretely experienced by the majority as a source of spiritual strengthening and emotional support. The study concludes that the Eucharist retains an anthropophagic dimension, promoting both personal and communal transformation. Further research with broader samples is recommended to deepen the understanding of the cultural and subjective dimensions of this sacrament.