Mustard Seeds

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Is Jesus Christ really present in the consecrated bread and wine?

“I still see a host and a little bit of wine…”, is the thought that comes to us many times when we see ourselves before the consecration of the gifts by the priest. In order to understand why us as Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is really present in the consecrated host and wine we must go to Jesus’ own words at the institution of the Mass, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: «Take and eat; this is my body». Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: «Drink from it, all of you, this is my blood…» (Matthew 26:26-28), Jesus did not say, “…this symbolizes my body…”, but “…this is my body…”, and then told us to repeat this formula in his memory (Luke 22:19).

Now, why is it important to recognize the real presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated host? Because it is the means by which we will have eternal life! Only by eating his flesh and drinking his blood, through the consecrated bread and wine, can we attain the grace of eternal life (John 6:22-59).

That is why it is very important not only to attend Holy Mass but also to participate in the supper that our Lord has prepared for us. Who of you goes to a birthday party and leaves without having a piece of cake? Our Lord has prepared a banquet where the main dish He offers us is eternal life through His body. If we think that we are not ready to receive communion, let us remember that at the beginning of mass, during the penitential act, we all confess ourselves sinners and the priest gives us the absolution of those venial sins that we have committed (GIRM 51) by pronouncing the words: “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.”

Let us strip off the rags that are our sins (Matthew 22.1-14), let us get ready and share with Christ the great banquet that He offers us in the Holy Communion

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What happens when the priest lays his hands over the gifts?

This is one of the most significant moments during Mass. It receives the name of Epiclesis and it is the moment of the Mass, after we have all proclaimed the Holy, when the priest lays his hands on the offerings  (GIRM 79c).

“Epiclesis” comes from the Greek and means “to invoke upon”. Who do we call? To the Holy Spirit. What for? So that it may come on the bread and wine and transform them into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (CCC 1353). That is why we kneel down, because from this moment until the consecration is finished, the Miracle of miracles happens, God becomes present again in our midst. It is not a symbol! It is Jesus Christ who really appears on the altar (Mathew 26:26) and, just as in Bethlehem he seemed to hide his greatness and majesty in a small and humble child, here he hides under the guise of bread and wine.

Also… it’s not one, but two invocations! The first one, that we have just described, where the priest begins by saying:

“You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them…” (GIRM 226)

and the second invocation to the Holy Spirit occurs a few moments later, at the end of the words of the Institution. When the priest pronounces:

“…Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.” (GIRM 227)

Do we now understand the importance of being attentive when Holy Mass is celebrated? Each part has a deep meaning and each prayer we make, if we put our hearts into it, is a precious opportunity to receive the graces and blessings that God wants to give us.

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Why does the Mass starts with a procession?

The mass begins with a procession in which the celebrant goes to the sanctuary. Most commonly, it is the celebrant and ministers that approach the sanctuary in procession. However, we also walk spiritually with them. That is the meaning of the procession, to symbolize that Christians are a people that walks as pilgrims in life. If we fall, to get up, to continue our walk towards the Holy City. The procession is not a parade of those who will participate in the mass, so that we can see them closely. It is an allegory of the Christian walk towards God1.

When they have arrived at the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow. Moreover, as an expression of veneration, the Priest and Deacon then kiss the altar itself; the Priest, if appropriate, also incenses the cross and the altar. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 49)

When the Entrance Chant is concluded, the Priest stands at the chair and, together with the whole gathering, signs himself with the Sign of the Cross. Then by means of the Greeting he signifies the presence of the Lord to the assembled community. By this greeting and the people’s response, the mystery of the Church gathered together is made manifest. (GIRM 50)

1 Liturgia Papal, “Vivir la Misa”, LiturgiaPapal.org, https://liturgiapapal.org/attachments/article/960/Iniciales1.pdf, accessed 20 september 2022