By Giuseppe Monno
1. What is Communion?
Communion is one of the seven sacraments of the Church. Through it, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine, allowing us to grow closer to Him and receive His grace.
2. What happens during the consecration at Mass?
During the consecration, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus. Their outward appearance does not change, but their substance does. This change is called transubstantiation.
3. What remains of the bread and wine after consecration?
Only the accidents remain—things like appearance, smell, taste, texture, quantity, and size. The substance—that is, what something truly is at its deepest level—is Christ Himself, alive and present.
4. Why is Christ fully present in every host and even in every fragment of it?
Christ is present sacramentally, not physically. He doesn’t occupy space as material objects do, but is fully present according to His substance.
He is truly present in every host, even the tiniest fragment.
He is present in multiple places at the same time.
He does not divide or multiply.
5. Why do the faithful usually receive only the host?
For practical and prudent reasons.
The Church teaches the principle of concomitance: Jesus is fully present in both the host and the wine.
Receiving just the host—or just the wine—is enough to fully and validly receive Christ, along with all the graces of the Eucharist.
6. How does the priest make Christ present?
A validly ordained priest says Jesus’ words, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood,” acting in persona Christi. It is not the priest’s personal holiness that makes it happen, but the power Christ has given to the Church.
7. What does “acting in persona Christi” mean?
It means “acting in the person of Christ.” The priest serves as His instrument. During consecration, it is Christ Himself who makes His Body and Blood present through the priest.
8. Can a priest who is unbelieving or in mortal sin celebrate validly?
Yes. The validity of the sacraments does not depend on the priest’s personal holiness or faith, but on the sacramental act itself and the authority of Christ given to the Church.
9. Do we really receive the Body of Christ?
Yes—truly, though not physically.
Physically, we consume the accidents of bread and wine.
Sacramentally, we receive the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
10. Why isn’t this cannibalism?
Cannibalism involves eating human flesh in a biological sense. We do not chew human flesh; we receive Christ sacramentally—truly, but not materially.
11. What are the effects on the body?
Like regular bread and wine, they nourish us physically.
12. What are the effects on the soul?
We receive grace, the life of God:
A deeper union with Jesus.
Strength to resist sin.
Growth in love and charity.
Spiritual support for ourselves and the entire Church.
13. Does Christ remain present in the Eucharist forever?
Christ remains present as long as the accidents of bread and wine remain. When these accidents are destroyed (for example, through digestion), the sacramental presence ceases.
14. Does this mean Jesus ends up in unworthy places?
No. Christ is not present after digestion because the species—the accidents—no longer exist. His sacramental presence is not material and cannot be degraded or carried away by matter.
15. Is the Eucharist the same sacrifice as the Cross?
Yes. The Mass is the same sacrifice as that of Calvary, made present in an unbloody way. It is not a new sacrifice, but the same one offered sacramentally.
16. Who offers the sacrifice at Mass?
Christ Himself is the principal celebrant and the offering.
The priest acts in His name.
The whole Church—saints, angels, the faithful on earth, and souls in purgatory—participates spiritually.
17. Why do we adore the Eucharist?
Because under the appearances of bread and wine, Jesus Himself is present—true God and true man. Adoring Him is an act of love, respect, and faith.
18. Why did God choose bread and wine?
Because they are simple, common foods accessible to everyone. Christ gives Himself as spiritual nourishment in a way that anyone can receive.