The Blood of Christ...

[Nathan]

When the wine at Mass is consecrated, it truly becomes the Blood of Christ. Now my question is, when one drinks the Blood of Christ, are they no longer consuming alcohol?

I have a history of problems with alcohol -- I've been sober for almost two years now, BTW -- but when I am confirmed next year, I want to experience the Eucharist in all its fullness -- the Body [i]and[/i] the Blood of Christ. However, I am afraid that if I were to have even one small drink, it may throw me back into the madness of abusing alcohol again (the two times I have merely washed my mouth with alcoholic mouthwash over the past couple years, I experienced a desire to drink again for a couple of days afterward -- it's that serious a problem for me).

Would I be "safe" in consuming the Blood of Christ? Or should I forget about it?

[Cam42]

[quote name='Nathan' date='Oct 10 2005, 06:34 PM']When the wine at Mass is consecrated, it truly becomes the Blood of Christ. Now my question is, when one drinks the Blood of Christ, are they no longer consuming alcohol?

I have a history of problems with alcohol -- I've been sober for almost two years now, BTW -- but when I am confirmed next year, I want to experience the Eucharist in all its fullness -- the Body [i]and[/i] the Blood of Christ. However, I am afraid that if I were to have even one small drink, it may throw me back into the madness of abusing alcohol again (the two times I have merely washed my mouth with alcoholic mouthwash over the past couple years, I experienced a desire to drink again for a couple of days afterward -- it's that serious a problem for me).

Would I be "safe" in consuming the Blood of Christ? Or should I forget about it?
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While it is a fuller sign to receive under both species, precious blood and the Blessed Sacrament, it is not necessary.

One can and does receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Sacred Host alone. As a matter of clarification, I never receive the precious Blood.

So, being an alchoholic or one who has problems with alchohol should not and does not really matter. It is a shortcoming to be sure, but it is something that is a non-factor. Do not trouble yourself over it, you are not missing out on anything by receiving the Blessed Sacrament.

The accidents of the wine remain such as the alchoholic quality, in other words, one can become intoxicated on the precious Blood, however, there is a substantial change, insofar as it is not merely wine, but the transubtantiated Blood of Christ.

That is the miracle of it all.