Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 4th Sunday of Easter.

My dear Parishioners,

Peace! There are fourteen (14) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. The following is a reflection on article 1411.

When considering the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist, Mother Church insists on the importance of validly ordained priests. Both the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist were instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. This is further evidence of their close relationship. While the Catechism has an entire section on Holy Orders, which we have treated elsewhere, here further mention is also made of that Sacrament of Service in conjunction with this Sacrament of Initiation.

Validly ordained priests are required for the Eucharist. Without a priest there is no Holy Mass. The enemies of Christ and His Kingdom have known this throughout the ages and when trying to stamp out the Gospel, often do so by persecution of the clergy (consider France 1793–1797 even imprisoning Pope Pius VI; Mexico 1823–1934 with the Martyr Saint Miguel Augustine Pro, S.J.; Philippines 1896–1904 with the expulsion or imprisonment of Augustinians, Franciscans and Jesuits alike; Poland 1939–1989 with the Martyrs Saint Maximilian Marie Kolbe, O.F.M. and Blessed Jerzy Popielusko) .

Validly ordained bishops (or priests) preside at the Eucharist. Not only do the priests utter the words of consecration and confect the Sacrament of the Altar, but they also lead the prayers, directing their own attention and that of all present toward God the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.

Validly ordained bishops (or priests) consecrate the bread and wine during the Eucharist. The one only Sacrifice of Calvary is made present, albeit in an unbloody manner, through the offering of the eucharistic sacrifice, the double apex being the consecration and the communion. While any who are in a state of grace, have faith and the use of reason may validly and worthily receive Holy Communion, only bishops and priests are able, by the power of God, to change bread and wine into Christ, whole and entire.

Via the consecration bread and wine become the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ who commands that this be done in memory of Him (cf. Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24). Failing to keep the Lord’s memory in this way is to fail Him.

Besides a validly ordained bishops (or priests) using the valid words of consecration, also required for a true Eucharist is valid matter, namely bread and wine. Just as there is no Baptism without water and the words ‘I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit’, so bread and wine are necessary prerequisites for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Rice cakes and saki are not valid matter. Beer and pizza likewise are not valid matter. While sacrilegious parodies have been attempted, Christ’s sovereign choice here is normative and binding. We celebrate His sacraments His way.

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr