Pope wants Catholics to understand 'real presence' of Christ

Published: 2004-11-03

ROME (CNS) -- One reason Pope John Paul II launched a Year of the Eucharist is that he wants Catholics to deepen their understanding of the "real presence" of Christ in the sacrament of Communion. The pope has stressed that this is not a symbolic or metaphorical idea. It means believing that Christ is present -- body, blood, soul and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine in Communion. In his encyclical last year on the Eucharist, the pope said this is "a presence in the fullest sense: a substantial presence whereby Christ, the God-man, is wholly and entirely present." Quoting St. Cyril, the pope explained further: "Do not see ... in the bread and wine merely natural elements, because the Lord has expressly said that they are his body and his blood ... though your senses suggest otherwise." The church teaches that bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ through the intervention of the Holy Spirit at the act of consecration in Mass. It recognizes that this is a unique process, part of a mystery that can be understood only through faith and never fully explained in words.

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