do Catholics believe the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ? Is it true that after the priest pronounces the words of consecration during Mass saying, "for this is my body," the substance of the bread changes into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, though the appearance remains the same? If this is true, then the consecrated hosts inside the tabernacle need to be reserved with dignity and reverence, for Jesus Christ is truly present.
2007-12-02 17:02:15 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes.
+ Eucharist +
At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.”
Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, that through a miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where God, acting through the priest, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
This is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.
By the way, the Orthodox, Lutheran and many Anglican Churches also believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1322 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm
+ Tabernacle +
Tabernacle, tabernaculum in Latin, means tent.
This is the tent that the Jews put the Ten Commandments and the Ark of the Covenant. This is where God dwelt in the midst of the His people.
If any of the Body of Christ is not consumed, then it is safely stored in the tabernacle. After all of these years, still the place where God dwells in the midst of the His people.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1322 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm
+ With love in Christ.
2007-12-02 17:45:16 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Yes they do. The Eucharist is the Center of the spiritual life of Catholics. This is Source of all graces - God Himself in Flesh and Blood, with His Soul and Divinity. This is also why precious metals are used for chalices and ciboriums because the best must be reserved for God. Tabernacles do reserve Jesus Christ in the Flesh and the Hosts are kept under lock and key so that people cannot desecrate the Blessed Sacrament, the Body of Christ.
2007-12-02 22:38:27 · answer #2 · answered by hope 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Roman Catholics must believe that the priest has the power to change bread and wine into the actual flesh and blood of Christ by murmuring a few magic words over them.
There is nothing symbolic about this , they must believe it is actually happening.
When the church had more power in past centuries thousands of people were tortured and murdered for refusing to believe this.
The process then continues with the believers eating this flesh, so they really believe they are taking part in an act of cannibalism.
2007-12-02 17:41:18 · answer #3 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Transubstantiation. This interpretation is held by the Roman Catholic Church. It declares that by the consecration of the priest the bread and wine cease to remain, as such, and become the actual body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Faith contends that when the Lord said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53), he meant the actual flesh and blood of Christ. Therefore, the Mass is that ritual which turns the bread and wine into the actual flesh and blood of Christ. The priest alone drinks the wine, as not one drop of Christ’s blood must be spilt. The bread is in the form of a wafer, so that not a crumb of His body should be lost. In answer to this we ask, “How could Christ, while being in His perfect body, hold part of His body in His hand when he said, ‘This is my body’?”
Symbolism. This is the true interpretation, which states that the bread and wine are only symbols of Christ’s body and blood, which were offered upon Calvary’s cross for the remission of sins. “This do in remembrance of me”; it is observed in blessed memory, and that is where it ends
2007-12-02 17:11:00 · answer #4 · answered by Wally 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Thomas AQUINAS teaches us about the es sense of matter and the true presence after consecration, it makes the true body and blood understandable, but takes a bit of study. When you say it remains the same, that is an error in thinking, actually it changes into the essence, this in the most simplest definition of es sense, it is what it is. An accident is the form of the object, it may look like and taste like bread and wine but it is changed in the Body and Blood.
The sacred hot and wine in the Tabernacle is indeed the Holy of Hollies.
2007-12-02 17:13:56 · answer #5 · answered by mark b 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Transubstantiation that is what it is called. And you people have NO idea how you feel after receiving this. Yes, I have experienced the power after receiving communion (both bread and wine). It is amazing. I had a burden I was carrying and after receiving communion I was compelled to ask (in my mind) for Jesus to take this burden - I had no idea I was even going to ask this - I wasn't even thinking about this burden that I had been carrying for weeks. Next thing you know it just pops into my mind and that quick I feel the weight lifted from me and I get a warm feeling inside. I felt absolved. The Holy Spirit makes groaning of which we cannot utter - that is the only thing I can attribute it to because I don't usually ask Jesus to lift burdens from me. I am sorry for anyone who is missing out on the fullness of this precious gift.
Hydroman - I don't think you have been to a Catholic church. Let me explain - We have to get out of our pews and walk in a long line to take part in communion. I go to a big church and I was sitting in the back. When we take a SIP - it is usually a very small SIP of wine from a partially filled chalice - by the time I got to it there wasn't much to sip at. By the time I walk all the way to my back seat pew it's warm feeling is already gone. Especially for such a small amount of wine. Then we kneel and pray. At this point is when I asked what I asked and felt the ACTUAL lift from this burden (and it was huge) being taken from me and then the warm feeling decended upon me. It was a warm feeling of being loved. I know people don't understand this but this is real and not made up stuff that people make themselves feel. Some are called by Him and some are not. But if you really wanted to partake in His salvation you can earnestly ask and if you are sincere He will answer. Btw, I don't always feel this way. I have partaken in the wine communion for a long time and it does not always make me feel this way.
2007-12-02 17:47:32 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa2000 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you have it right. Jesus said I believe it that settles it-
"This is my body" "This is my blood".
By the way, all Catholics, not just the priest can drink the wine as well as eat the bread. In the Middle ages it fell out of practice for the folks in the pews to take the wine for reasons that are obvious (the spread of disease) but now it's permitted and encouraged.
2007-12-02 17:11:14 · answer #7 · answered by patrick m 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it's true. It's called the transubstantiation. And yes, the consecrated hosts inside the tabernacle must be reserved with dignity and reverence.
2007-12-02 17:07:35 · answer #8 · answered by Markietellme 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I believe it may be called transmigration or something similar. I am Protestant but everyone I grew up with is Catholic and I do believe that the Catholic church teaches the wafer and wine are actually the blood of Jesus and the body of Jesus, and for that reason churches lock up the host so people with evil in mind cannot get their hands on them.
2007-12-02 17:08:49 · answer #9 · answered by magpie 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, and that is why the Tabernacle even exists, to preserve the dignity and reverence of the Eucharistic Hosts.
2007-12-02 17:10:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋