Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

As we continue on our journey of faith, I would like to dig deeper into the message of Holy Communion.  In the General Instruction of the Roman Missal we read this about how “Christ Himself  is Present in the Eucharistic Species.”

“Christ is “truly, really, and substantially contained” in Holy Communion.  His presence is not momentary nor simply signified, but wholly and permanently real under each of the consecrated species of bread and wine.

The Council of Trent teaches that “the true body and blood of our Lord, together with his soul and divinity, exist under the species of bread and wine.  His body exists under the species of bread and his blood under the species of wine, according to the import of his words.”

The Church also teaches and believes that “immediately after the consecration the true body of our Lord and his true blood exist along with his soul and divinity under the form of bread and wine.  The body is present under the form of bread and the blood under the form of wine, by virtue of the words [of Christ].  The same body, however, is under the form of wine and the blood under the form of bread, and the soul under either form, by virtue of the natural link and concomitance by which the parts of Christ the Lord, who has now risen from the dead and will die no more, are mutually united.”

Since, however, by reason of the sign value, sharing in both Eucharistic species reflects more fully the sacred realities that the Liturgy signifies, the Church in her wisdom has made provisions in recent years so that more frequent Eucharistic participation from both the sacred host and the chalice of salvation might be made possible for the laity in the Latin Church.”

“During the celebration of the Mass, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of Jesus’ words by the priest, the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, which is offered in an unbloody manner in sacrifice for us and in praise to the Father.  The assembly actively participates by prayers, hymns, psalms, responses, and an inner self-offering along with Christ to the Father.  All who are properly prepared can receive Holy Communion, by which Jesus gradually transforms the receivers into himself and which leads them to Gospel witness in the world.” (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)

My Brothers and Sisters may Holy Communion unite and transform us into Christ!

Fr. David