Who's right about when the bread and wine become Christ's Body and Blood?
The short answer
The change occurs at the words of consecration — that is why the priest then shows the host and chalice for adoration. The Catechism teaches that in the institution narrative, Christ's words and the Holy Spirit make his Body and Blood sacramentally present.
At the consecration
Transubstantiation cannot be spread across the whole Eucharistic Prayer, since right after the words of consecration the priest shows the host and chalice to the people for adoration.
The Catechism
In the epiclesis the priest asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit so the offerings may become Christ's body and blood (CCC 1105). In the institution narrative, the power of Christ's words and action and of the Spirit make his body and blood sacramentally present (CCC 1353). It is by this conversion that Christ becomes present (CCC 1375).
Chrysostom
St. John Chrysostom: it is not man but Christ crucified who makes the offerings his body and blood. The priest speaks the words in Christ's role, but the power is God's: "This is my body" — this word transforms the offerings.
Continue exploring
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