Within the framework of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which many dioceses around the world will celebrate this Sunday, June 2, we share 3 facts about the exact moment in which the bread and wine of the Holy Mass become the Blessed Sacrament.
1. The Consecration
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He Catechism of the Catholic Church points out that “the Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of consecration.”
According to the Roman Catechism of the Council of Trentfor the bread to be consecrated the priest must pronounce the formula said by Christ at the Last Supper: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and, giving it to the disciples, said: ‘Take and eat, this is my body'” (Mt 26,26).
Likewise, the Roman Catechism indicates that so that the wine may be consecratedthe priest must say: “This, then, is the chalice of my blood, of the new and eternal testament, mystery of faith, which will be poured out for you and for many for the remission of sins.”
The book specifies that several of these words They are in the Gospel and that the others (eternal and mystery of faith) were received by the Catholic Church from the apostolic tradition.
In it Misal Romanowhich governs the Eucharistic celebrations of the Latin rite, these formulas are contained, but with words adapted to our time and others that have been added.
For example, “all take and eat of Him” and “all take and drink of Him” are included. While at the end of the wine formula the request of Christ is also mentioned: “Do this in commemoration of me.”
2. Transubstantiation
He Catechism teaches that with the consecration of bread and wine transubstantiation occurs.
According to him Dicastery for the Clergy“transubstantiation is a miraculous and unique conversion, different from natural conversions.”
“In it, both the matter and the form of the bread and wine are what are converted, only the accidents remain unchanged: we continue to see the bread and wine but substantially they are no longer, because in them is really the body, blood , soul and divinity of Christ,” he adds.
Within the Canons on the Blessed Sacrament promulgated during the Council of Trent, it is stated that whoever denies transubstantiation “be anathema” (excommunicated). Therefore, it is a truth of faith that every Catholic must believe.
3. Requirements for transubstantiation
The website of the The Work of God He explains that for transubstantiation to occur, some important elements are necessary, such as “bread made of wheat flour and wine made of grapes,” as well as “the consecration words pronounced by the priest.”
Therefore, without them there can be no consecration of the species and no transubstantiation.
Abel Camasca
Journalist graduated from the Communication Sciences degree at the University of Lima. He has been part of the ACI Prensa journalistic team since 2014. Between 2016 and 2022 he was in charge of the production of the television program EWTN Noticias and Más que Noticias, a World Catholic Radio program. He often writes articles about the lives of saints.