Transubstantiation

[Nathan]

I have a question:

As faithful Catholics, do we fully believe in transubstantiation, that the bread and wine [i]actually turns into[/i] the Body and Blood of Christ when the priest prays over them during Mass? Like, [i]physically[/i] transforms into the flesh and blood of Jesus? Or is Christ just [i]spiritually[/i] present in the bread and wine (not that that's anything to sneeze at)? Somewhere in between?

As an RCIA-er, I'm a little confused about this. Thanks!

[StColette]

The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament which contains the body and blood, soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine.

When we say the Sacrament which contains the Body and Blood, we mean the Sacrament which is the Body and Blood, for after the Consecration there is no other substance present in the Eucharist.

With the Holy Eucharist only the substance is changed while the appearance remains the same.

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So yes the bread and wine do become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. But it only changes in substance not in appearance. Meaning it keeps the accidents, referring to the sense like touch, taste, and sight, of bread and wine.

Edited July 23, 2005 by StColette

[Apotheoun]

The change that occurs through transubstantiation or metaousios concerns the immaterial substance of the bread and wine, and not the physical and chemical properties.

[phatcatholic]

does that answer your question Nathan?

[Nathan]

Yep, thanks.