Do you believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist?
That Catholics believed that when the priest says words to the effect, "This is my body...", that the bread becomes the actual Body of Christ, was both a stumbling block and a fascination for me.
Upon learning of this belief, I began a study of Catholicism and eventually came to believe myself and joined the Church 20 years ago. In the beginning, I had some profound experiences with the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, which I suppose were affirmations that I made the right decision. But that was in the early stages. I no longer have powerful experiences, though I almost always feel a sense of peace after receiving Holy Communion.
I am new to this forum and discovered this group because I did a search on the Knights of Columbus and their silly hats, and found some posts about that here. Anyway, I have seen many posts that criticize some Catholic beliefs, which puzzles me since I thought this was a safe place to express Catholic beliefs, but it made me wonder if THE BELIEF of Catholicism is also questioned or denied, that being that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, or what theologians would call "transubstantiation."
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tjwmason
(14,819 posts)It's probably the single biggest reason that I'm a Catholic.
meow2u3
(25,250 posts)The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is THE core belief of Catholics. Otherwise, I wouldn't be Catholic.
No Vested Interest
(5,297 posts)as an act of faith.
georges641
(123 posts)Followup question...
Have you ever "felt" anything or had some experience that you attributed to having received Communion?
No Vested Interest
(5,297 posts)I have not had the type of experience you refer to.
I accept that apparently my psychology is not particularly receptive to that type of experience, sort of like some people cannot or should not be hypnotized.
I have been to Lourdes and Medjugore and saw or felt nothing other than what was physically obvious.
I don't doubt that some do have those actual experiences, though.
georges641
(123 posts)My personal feeling is that it's bogus.
My trip had its aspects of being a retreat and parts of it were fun and parts were spiritual, but overall, regarding the alleged apparitions and visionaries--I don't buy it. There was too much disobedience on the part of the local order of priests, some inconsistent messages, and I saw with my own eyes and in my own group a fanaticism and a desire to see "signs and wonders" and to get the "good feelings."
I wish I had instead spent my money on a trip to Rome.
No Vested Interest
(5,297 posts)I was on a tour of Yugoslavia- it was still one country at that time, though Tito had already died.
One of the stops was Medjugorje, which was the one of the reasons I wanted to make the trip. My spouse, though a faithful Catholic, would not have been interested in making a pilgrimage just to go there, but a trip to the various cities - Belgrade, Split, Dubrovnik, etc.- was fine.
Our tour group did meet one of the women visionaries. So we attended Mass & maybe confession , but no retreat, etc. The town was extremely touristy, even at that time.
As I stated, I had no mystical experience there, though I believe others (not in our group) that say they did.
The next year, I sent my sons there as part of trip to the whole peninsula. The son who remains a practicing Catholic, had no extraordinary experience, while the other son, who is non-practicing at this time, said he saw the swirling sun, etc.
A trip to Rome is a fine thing, uplifting but not necessarily with supernatural elements.
rug
(82,333 posts)One way of understanding a belief is to criticize it. Once you understand the belief, you know its limits and can recognize when people, whether bishops or laity, attempt to extend it or use it to justify an action which is unsupported by that belef.
FWIW, I think the Knights do have silly hats.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)is Jesus.
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,477 posts)If I were to abandon that belief, I would leave the Church.
Mind you, there are far more significant reasons for being Catholic.
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)I once knew a priest who sometimes literally glowed with a special aura from 'somewhere!' at that point in the Mass. And no, there was zero chance of hidden lighting tricks. Most people in the congregation were poor as proverbial church mice, and there was hardly room in the budget to keep the doors open. A few were so poor that they actually donated by produce from their gardens. But the place was rich in the Holy Spirit indeed.
mykpart
(3,879 posts)I also believe that the Eucharist should be available to anyone who shares this belief. For many years I did not receive Communion because I believed I was in a state of sin. Ironic, because at that time of my life I was most in need of being in communion with God.
47of74
(18,470 posts)There's something about receiving Him that makes me feel stronger and better able to handle life.
demosincebirth
(12,827 posts)
wet.hen88
(64 posts)I thought about those things many years ago, when I left the Church, went my own way, then years after, still mad at the Vatican, considered Orthodoxy, and turned away from that. That said...I will reply to your question in my way. Debating the Presence is a waste. You will never "come to It" with words...it must be felt, experienced. I did so. The only question I ever had was dogmatic and finally realized things of the spiritual must BE spiritual. I know my soul exists, and I must trust it.