Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church teaches that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ, a process known as transubstantiation. This change is believed to be brought about by the eucharistic prayer and the action of the Holy Spirit. While the outward characteristics of bread and wine remain the same, the Catholic Church maintains that the substance has been transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. This belief is based on the interpretation of Christ's words at the Last Supper, where he referred to the bread and wine as his body and blood. The Eucharist is considered the most important of the seven sacraments, as it represents an intimate encounter with Christ, and only those who are in a state of grace, without any mortal sin, can receive it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is received | Body and Blood of Christ |
| What is received also known as | Holy Communion, Eucharist, Blessed Sacrament |
| What it represents | Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ |
| What it is made of | Bread and Wine |
| Who can receive it | Catholics who are in a state of grace, i.e., without any mortal sin |
| Who cannot receive it | Non-Catholics, non-believers, those in a state of mortal sin |
| How to receive it | With utmost respect and reverence |
| How to prepare to receive it | Fasting for an hour before, arriving on time for Mass, not leaving early |
| What to do before receiving it | Go to confession since your last mortal sin |
| What to do if confession is not possible | Make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible |
| What to do if confession is not possible due to danger of death | Receive Communion |
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What You'll Learn
Transubstantiation
The term "transubstantiation" was first used in the 11th century by Hildebert of Lavardin, the Archbishop of Tours, and it became official church teaching at the Council of Trent between 1545 and 1563. The council declared:
> "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation."
It is important to note that while the substance of the bread and wine changes, their outward characteristics, known as the ""accidents"" or "eucharistic species," remain the same. This means that the bread and wine still look, feel, and taste the same, but they have truly become the body and blood of Christ. This change is often described as a miracle and a mystery that surpasses human understanding.
The doctrine of transubstantiation has been a subject of controversy and debate throughout the history of the Catholic Church. It was rejected by some during the Reformation in the 16th century, and it played a negative role in British political and social life for a period of time. Despite this, transubstantiation remains a central belief in the Catholic Church, and it is affirmed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other official documents.
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The Real Presence
The Catholic Church teaches that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of consecration spoken by the priest. This transformation is known as transubstantiation, which means that only the appearances of bread and wine remain, while their substance has been transformed into the actual body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. The exact moment of this transformation is a matter of debate, with some believing it occurs during the consecration, while others believe it happens during the epiclesis, or calling down of the Holy Spirit on the gifts of bread and wine.
The Eucharist is considered the most important of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church because it is the only sacrament in which Catholics receive the very body and blood of Jesus Christ. The reception of Holy Communion is an intimate encounter with Christ and a source of innumerable graces. However, the Church also teaches that receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin is a sacrilege, and only those who are in a state of grace and have confessed their sins can receive it.
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Holy Communion
The Eucharist is the most important of the seven sacraments because it is the only sacrament in which Catholics receive the very body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. This is known as transubstantiation, which means that the bread and wine are actually transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ, and only the appearances of bread and wine remain. The outward characteristics of bread and wine remain unaltered, but their substance is changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ. This change is brought about in the Eucharistic prayer through the efficacy of the word of Christ and by the action of the Holy Spirit.
The belief in transubstantiation is based on the words of Jesus himself at the Last Supper: "This is my body [...] this is my blood." The interpretation of these words against the background of the Old Testament supports the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Catholic Church teaches that Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in every discernible particle of what appears to be bread and wine.
Respect for the Eucharist is of utmost importance for Catholics. This includes genuflecting or bowing reverently when entering the church, fasting for an hour before Communion, and not referring to Holy Communion as "bread" or "wine" but as "the Body of Christ" and "the Blood of Christ." Only those who are in a state of grace, without any mortal sin, can receive the Eucharist.
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Consecration
The Catholic Church teaches that during the Mass, the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ. This change is brought about in the Eucharistic prayer through the word of Christ and the action of the Holy Spirit. The outward characteristics of bread and wine remain unaltered, but their substance is transformed into the substance of Christ's body and blood. This doctrine is known as transubstantiation, a term used by the Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215 and given further prominence by the Council of Trent in 1551.
The precise moment of consecration, or transubstantiation, is believed to occur during the Eucharistic prayer when the priest speaks the words of institution, recalling Christ's words at the Last Supper: "This is my body" and "This is my blood". These words are considered to have eternally consecratory power, and their utterance is accompanied by the epiclesis, or calling down of the Holy Spirit. The moment of consecration is of utmost importance to Catholics, who believe that Christ is truly, really, and substantially present in every particle of the consecrated bread and wine.
The doctrine of transubstantiation holds that the bread and wine are actually transformed into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, and only the appearances of bread and wine remain. This belief is based on the words of Jesus himself at the Last Supper, as recounted in the synoptic Gospels and Paul's letters. The early Christian document, the Didache, written around AD 70, instructs those who are holy to approach and receive Communion, while those who are not are instructed to repent.
The Catholic Church considers the Eucharist to be the most important of the seven sacraments, as it is the only sacrament in which Catholics receive the very body and blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. This belief is summed up by Pope John Paul II: "The Eucharist builds the Church". The reception of Holy Communion is an intimate encounter with Christ, and those who receive it are believed to be strengthened and more fully assimilated into Christ.
Respect for the Eucharist is of utmost importance in the Catholic Church. Catholics are instructed to fast for an hour before Communion, arrive on time for Mass, and not leave early. They are also encouraged to genuflect or bow reverently when entering the church where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.
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The Eucharist as a Sacrament
The Eucharist is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is a sacrifice and a meal, commemorating the Last Supper, at which Christ instituted the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church's life, uniting the faithful with Christ and with one another.
The Eucharist is a memorial of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and his subsequent resurrection. It is also a pledge of future glory, filling the faithful with grace and heavenly blessing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Eucharist as a sacrament of healing, bringing about spiritual healing by cleansing the faithful of sin and restoring them in charity.
The Eucharist is also known as Holy Communion, referring to the act of partaking of the consecrated bread and wine. The bread and wine are believed to be changed into the body and blood of Christ through transubstantiation, a term used by Catholics to denote the change of substance. This change is brought about by the power of Christ's word and the action of the Holy Spirit, with the outward characteristics of bread and wine remaining unaltered.
The consecrated bread and wine are to be treated with the utmost respect, and the Church goes to great lengths to ensure that any remaining particles are properly disposed of or buried. Catholics are encouraged to receive the Holy Eucharist regularly, but only those who are in a state of grace, without any mortal sin, can receive it.
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