Alter Christus/ Persona Christi

starrs0 · Aug 25, 2005

Can some one explain Alter Christus/ Persona Christi to me what does this mean?

JimG · Aug 25, 2005

“Persona Christi” applies to priests. When acting in his priestly functions, the priest is acting “in the person of Christ.” This means that in a mysterious way, through the sacrament of holy orders, the priest allows Jesus to make use of his his very being–his person–to accomplish sacramental actions. So that when the priest says, in the confesional, “I forgive you your sins,” he uses the word “I” but it is Christ acting through him. When he says, at Mass, “This is my body,” “This is my blood,” he uses the word “my” but it is Christ acting through him to effect the consecration.

“Alter Christus” on the other hand, means “another Christ.” And we are all called to be an “alter Christus” to one another.

Gottle_of_Geer · Aug 26, 2005

JimG said:
“Persona Christi” applies to priests. When acting in his priestly functions, the priest is acting “in the person of Christ.” This means that in a mysterious way, through the sacrament of holy orders, the priest allows Jesus to make use of his his very being–his person–to accomplish sacramental actions. So that when the priest says, in the confesional, “I forgive you your sins,” he uses the word “I” but it is Christ acting through him. When he says, at Mass, “This is my body,” “This is my blood,” he uses the word “my” but it is Christ acting through him to effect the consecration.

“Alter Christus” on the other hand, means “another Christ.” And we are all called to be an “alter Christus” to one another.

And the basis for all this, is that Christ is the True High Priest, of all the sacraments, and of all the worship of the Church - the human priest does not add any thing to the activity of Christ the High Priest; on the contrary, he draws upon it, and applies it to us.

The sacraments are far more the acts of Christ, than of any one else. The priest says “This is My Body…” because it is not the priest’s body, but Christ’s Body; not his words, coming from his heart, but Christ’s, coming from His Heart. ##

Alter Christus/ Persona Christi

starrs0

Guest

JimG

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Gottle_of_Geer

Guest

And the basis for all this, is that Christ is the True High Priest, of all the sacraments, and of all the worship of the Church - the human priest does not add any thing to the activity of Christ the High Priest; on the contrary, he draws upon it, and applies it to us.

Alter Christus/ Persona Christi

starrs0

Guest

JimG

Guest

Gottle_of_Geer

Guest

And the basis for all this, is that Christ is the True High Priest, of all the sacraments, and of all the worship of the Church - the human priest does not add any thing to the activity of Christ the High Priest; on the contrary, he draws upon it, and applies it to us.​

And the basis for all this, is that Christ is the True High Priest, of all the sacraments, and of all the worship of the Church - the human priest does not add any thing to the activity of Christ the High Priest; on the contrary, he draws upon it, and applies it to us.