Does Jesus ever remove himself from the Eucharist?

[Frances_Clark]

I am confused with a statement regarding the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. If the Precious Blood is spilled or the Consecrated Body desecrated, received by a non-Catholic or a child who hasn’t yet made First Communion, I was told that just as Jesus enters the bread and wine at the consecration, He can remove Himself from the physical appearance in such circumstances. As an EMHC, I have always been very careful in my handling of the Body and Blood of Christ, but I didn’t understand this statement. Thank you for your clarification.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Whoever gave you such information does not understand the Church’s basic teaching regarding the Eucharist. At the consecration Jesus does not “enter” into the bread and wine, the bread and wine actually become His body and blood. Further, what appears to be bread and wine ceases to be His body and blood only when the appearance of bread and wine is no longer present as when dissolved by water or other liquids such as the acids in the stomach. Otherwise, the real presence remains.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.