As we approach the Feast of Corpus Christi this June—a solemn celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ—it’s the perfect time to revisit one of the most profound teachings of the Catholic Church: the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
But what does this doctrine mean, and why is it so central to our faith? Whether you’re a lifelong Catholic or someone exploring what the Church teaches, understanding the Real Presence is key to grasping the heart of Catholic worship.
What Do Catholics Mean by the “Real Presence”?
The Catholic Church teaches that in the sacrament of the Eucharist, or Communion Jesus Christ is truly, really, and substantially present—in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine. You see and taste bread but what is communicated to you is Christ himself in His totality.
This transformation of bread into Christ is called transubstantiation. It happens at the words of consecration recited by a validly ordained Priest during Mass (“This is my Body… This is my Blood”). As soon as the Priest says these words of Christ, the substance of the bread and wine becomes Christ Himself, even though the physical properties (taste, texture, appearance) remain bread.
This belief is not symbolic. It is literal and sacramental, rooted in Christ’s own words and affirmed throughout the centuries.
Scriptural Foundations of the Real Presence
Many Catholics and non Catholics alike are surprised to discover just how biblical this teaching is. Let’s look at the key passages:
- John 6:51–58: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life… For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”
- Matthew 26:26–28: At the Last Supper, Jesus says, “This is my body… this is my blood of the covenant.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:27–29: St. Paul warns that anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup “in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.”
These verses reveal that belief in the Real Presence is not a later invention but originates with Jesus Himself.
Jesus lost many disciples when he taught this teaching (John 6: 66). However he didn’t back track. He was even willing to lose all his disciples on account of this teaching (John 66:67).
What the Early Church taught
From the earliest centuries, the Church Fathers (early leaders mostly taught by the disciples and their followers) affirmed the Real Presence:
- St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD) warned against those who “do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ.”
(Letter to the Smyrnaeans, chapter 7). - St. Justin Martyr (c. 150 AD) described the Eucharist not as common bread and wine, but as “the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.”
(First Apology, Chapter 66)
This consistent witness has been formally taught in the Church’s magisterium (its official teaching office):
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1374): “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.’”
Why the Real Presence Matters (Especially Today)
In a time when religious belief is often reduced to metaphor or sentiment, the doctrine of the Real Presence is radically incarnational. In other words it show that God values being concretely present among us. It also affirms that God comes to us physically, humbly, and repeatedly. This fulfils his promise to not leave us orphans (John 14:18) and to be with us until the end of the age ( Mathew 28: 19-20). The Real Presence fulfills the promises of Christ not only spiritually or metaphorically but also physically, meaning at all levels.
The Eucharist fulfills (completes and upgrades) scripture especially the Old Testament prophecies and worship in these ways:
- Worship: The Mass is not just a gathering, but a re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. That’s why we kneel. That’s why we fast for an hour before Mass. That’s why we genuflect. Worship for Catholics is not singing only but offering the same sacrifice that Christ offered to God the Father on earth and now in heaven as our High Priest. (Hebrews 5: 14-16; 1 Cor 10: 16-18).
- Priesthood of all : since we all offer the sacrifice of Christ with him, we are all Priests. We fulfil the common Priesthood of Israel (Exodus 19: 5-6). This is known as the Priesthood of the faithful (Catechism 897-903). This is different from but complements the ordained Priests or Ministerial Priests who represent Christ in person. (Catechism 1536-1600).
- Our New Passover Lamb: The Lambs sacrificed and offered in the temple of the Old Testament had to be consumed by the people who offered it. In the same way, we have to consume Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1: 29; 1 Rev 5: 6). Jesus is the new and everlasting Lamb that offers the perfect sacrifice to God on our behalf. All the lambs that were killed in the Old Testament couldn’t take away sins but Christ could because he was both God and man.
- The New Manna: The Israelites and the Prophet Elijah on separate occasions received miraculous bread when they were weary in the desert and travelling toward the promise land. Christ himself explained himself as the new mana from heaven. Unlike the old manna, this manna, his body, leads to everlasting life (John 6: 48-51).
- Community: The Eucharist unites us as the Body of Christ, both spiritually and physically. It’s the heart of Catholic unity. Since we all consume of him we truly become the body of Christ, not just spiritually and symbolically but truly – bound by the same body of Christ we receive. We become what we eat. (1 Cor 10: 16-17; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1325).
- From the Rising of the Sun to its Setting: We consume the resurrected Christ. One who is above time and space (Luke 24: 30-31; Sacramentum Caritatis (2007) paragraph 70). Therefore when we offer the Mass or the Eucharist throughout the world, we fulfil the Prophecy of Malachi which predicted that from the rising of the sun to its setting, a pure offering would be offered to God’s name (Malachi 1:11). No longer do we need to be at the Temple in Jerusalem offering sacrifice. We can offer sacrifice, the true worship) anywhere we are, just as Christ predicted (John 4: 23-24).
- Personal Holiness: Receiving the Eucharist worthily strengthens our souls. As St. Thomas Aquinas put it, the Eucharist is “the sacrament of love; it signifies love, it produces love.”
- Receive Him Often: Christ asked us to do the Eucharist in remembrance of him (Luke 22:19). At minimum this should be daily since God never stops working for us. We also learn from what Christ tells Mary Magdalene to not cling to him until he he has ascended to the Father which he has done (John 20: 17). So we should now cling to him, receive often and spend time with Him in adoration.
Implications:
- The Real Presence means that the Eucharist ought to be received with:
- Adequate knowledge of what and who is being received. This is why non Catholics are asked not to receive unless they are in full communion with the Church and her teachings. To do otherwise is dangerous (1 Corinthians 11: 27-30).
- Adequate Preparation. Every one who receives the Eucharist must ensure that they have no mortal sins.it is dangerous to receive the Eucharist unworthily (1 Corinthians 11: 27-30). If one has venial or non-mortal sin only then the good news is that the Eucharist wipes these away (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1393). If unsure, receive the Eucharist and make sure that you make arrangements to go to confession as soon as possible
- Reverence. Every one who revives the Eucharist must receive it with true understanding and appreciation that this IS Christ himself as He promised. This means receiving Christ with respectful posture and revernce. Ideally receive Him on the tongue. If you receive Him in your hands, genuflect or bow reverently prior to receiving Him.
Corpus Christi: A Time to Renew Our Faith in the Eucharist
The Feast of Corpus Christi (June 19 in 2025) invites us to publicly and joyfully proclaim our belief in the Real Presence. Processions, adoration, and Masses around the world will draw attention to this central mystery.
It’s also a personal invitation:
- Do I truly believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist?
- Do I receive Him with reverence and gratitude?
- Do I let the Eucharist transform how I live?
Want to Go Deeper?
Here are some recommended resources to strengthen your Eucharistic faith:
- Bishop Robert Barron’s talk on the Eucharist (available on YouTube and Word on Fire)
- “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist” by Dr. Brant Pitre
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1322–1419
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament—even 15 minutes can change your life. This is when you go to a Catholic Church with the Eucharist present in a tabernacle to pray before Him, have a conversation with Him and silently appreciate Him.
Conclusion
Belief in the Real Presence is not just a doctrine. It is an encounter.
Christ does not leave us orphaned. He is truly here. And that changes everything.
This Corpus Christi, let us fall to our knees in worship, and rise up in mission—transformed by the One who gives Himself to us, fully and every day, in the Eucharist.
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