Lorraine
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
A new convert to the faith asked me why the
Minister of Holy Communion says:
The Body of Christ. or The
Blood of Christ.
instead of
The Body and Blood of Christ.
to those receiving Holy Communion.
- Since we believe Jesus is truly present:
Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in both
species,
is there a specific reason that the Church
has decided to stay with these words in
the liturgy, as we have them today?
I really appreciate your website. It
has helped me so much in answering questions
from Catholics and non-Catholics that I
meet.
Thank you for all you do!
Lorraine
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Why doesn't the Church distribute Communion to the faithful saying, the Body and Blood of Christ? }
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John
replied:
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Hi, Lorraine —
Thanks for your question.
I don't know whether this is the
official answer but the Lord Himself
said, This is My Body.
after He broke and blessed the Bread,
and likewise said, This is the Cup
of My Blood so while we believe
Jesus is present under both species,
the Church says Body of Christ when distributing the consecrated
Hosts and likewise — the Blood
of Christ when offering the cup
with the Precious Blood to the recipient.
John
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Paul
replied:
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Hi, Lorraine —
What John stated was important. In
the sacraments, Jesus provides the
Church with the proper form (how
to perform the sacrament including
the proper wording) and the matter (the 'stuff' that
must be used). The Church follows
what Jesus said, did, and used at
His Last Supper when He instituted
the Eucharist.
While you are correct that Jesus'
Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity are
fully present in either species and
that no more grace is objectively
offered by receiving Him under both
species, it is more symbolically
significant to receive Him under
both species, as did the Apostles.
Paul
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