Does the priest intention affect the consecration?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Micki
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Micki

Guest
Does priestly intention affect the concecration of the bread and wine. In other words, if the priest does not intend to change the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus, yet he still uses valid matter and correclty reads the prayers, are the elements chagned. I am not referring to his belief in the real presence or the state of his soul at the time of concecration but rather his intent to concecrate.

Micki
 
Dear Mickie,

Yes indeed, the priest’s intention determines the validity of the consecration. If the priest is doing a demonstration for the RCIA, wears the vestments–everything, and does not intend to actually consecrate the bread and wine–there is no Mass. I used to do this very thing and then ask my students why the bread and wine were not the Body and Blood of Christ.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top