Catechism #1375
It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. The Church Fathers strongly affirmed the faith of the Church in the efficacy of the Word of Christ and of the action of the Holy Spirit to bring about this conversion. Thus St. John Chrysostom declares:
It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but
he who was crucified for us, Christ himself. The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces
these words, but their power and grace are God's. This is my body, he says. This word
transforms the things offered.
And St. Ambrose says about this conversion:
Be convinced that this is not what nature has formed, but what the blessing has
consecrated. The power of the blessing prevails over that of nature, because by the
blessing nature itself is changed...Could not Christ's word, which can make from
nothing what did not exist, change existing things into what they were not before?
It is no less a feat to give things their original nature than to change their nature.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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