Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

My dear Parishioners,

Peace! The ninth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” There are thirty-five (35) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 805.

We can consider the Church as the Body of Christ and as the Community of Believers. Some confusion may arise, however, when considering the Church as the Body of Christ because this phrase is also used in reference to the Holy Eucharist. The various ways in which we speak of Mother Church show how rich and deep a mystery the Church is.

To say that the Church is the “Body of Christ” has solid scriptural foundations (cf. Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 10:17; 12:12–27). To say that the Eucharist is the “Body of Christ” is likewise scriptural (cf, Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:24, 27, 29).

The Holy Spirit hovers over both Mother Church, leading her and safeguarding her until the return of Jesus Christ in glory and over the elements of bread and wine that they might become wholly and entirely transformed into Christ Himself, a change fittingly and properly called “transubstantiation” (cf. CCC 1376). The Holy Spirit was active in Christ’s conception and is likewise active in Christ’s presence throughout history, in the Church and in the Eucharist (cf. Luke 1:26–38; John 16:13; Ephesians 4:9–16).

Had Christ not established His Church and His Sacraments there would be no Holy Mass, the Eucharist would not be celebrated. That the Eucharist is offered from the rising to the setting of the Sun allows the followers of Jesus Christ to be gathered as His People, doing this in memory of Him, present to Him in His real, substantial presence (cf. Psalm 107:3; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24–25). The Sacrifice of the Mass makes present Christ’s body the Church as we await His return in glory, strengthened by receiving His Eucharistic Body, Blood, soul and divinity.

Pope Pius XII even published a letter, Mystici Corporis (29 June, 1943) some twenty (20) years before the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). In Mediator Dei (20 November, 1947) Pope Pius XII uses the expression “Body of Christ” in reference to both Mother Church and the Sacrament of the Altar. These two (2) encyclical letters primed the pump, if you will, of the Council Fathers at Vatican II as they sought to teach the world about the Church of Jesus Christ (Lumen Gentium) and the worship due the living God (Sacrosanctum Concilium). [Pius XII’s Divino Afflante Spiritu (30 September, 1943) prepared the way for the Council’s teaching on divine revelation with its apex in Jesus Christ in Dei Verbum].

Let us be faithful to Christ, His Bride Mother Church and the Sacrament of the Altar. Then He will be pleased with us and we will hear those blessed words: good and faithful servant, come share your Master’s joy (Matthew 25:23).

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr