The real presence ? did it take you some time to believe

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I always believed it on some level. But it took many years to appreciate the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the process is ongoing.
I believe it intellectually but I always find that after I receive the Eucharist I can never seem to adequately give thanks.
 
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When I was younger I don’t think I had a true understanding of the real presence of our Lord. In my later years I have developed a deeper understanding in the real presence of our Lord. especially after a profound spiritual experience many years ago.
 
In the Eucharist, as I just said. I’ve been taught this since childhood. I’m Episcopalian; you’re required to believe that our sacraments are invalid, but of course I don’t.
 
Both. Well, assuming the Catholics have a valid priesthood 😉.
 
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Why is this traditional Catholicism? I don’t believe you guys stopped believing in the Real Presence after Vatican II…
 
I was taught the “real presence” at such a young age I never thought it was possible/ optional not to believe.
 
I was taught about the Real Presence right from the start.
I can only remember doubting it once, when I was a child. It’s actually sort of silly. I absolutely loved a kids movie with a fairy/angel/grandmother character that used magic, and every time she did small bells could be heard in the soundtrack. So I associated the sound of small, unseen bells with magic (you can probably see where this is going). Due to my small size and where my family chose to sit at Mass, I couldn’t see the altar server ringing the bells. But I never questioned where the sound was coming from - I thought it was the sound of God’s magic changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood! I even went as far as to think that unbelievers were very silly for doubting when I could so clearly hear God’s power at work.
Then one day we sat somewhere different, and I saw the little bells and the altar boy ringing them. I realized I might be expected to believe without proof.

Me: Mom - mom, that boy is ringing bells.
Mom: He does that every Mass. Hush now, this is an important part.
Me: …But Mom, is that REALLY Jesus?
Mom, looking shocked: Yes, of course!

And I never doubted again.
 
Yes interesting reflection intellectual application of scripture does satisfy
 
I’m a convert, and I can honestly say that, no, it didn’t. I don’t think I even questioned or needed it explained. But even when I didn’t KNOW about the real presence, I had always found I liked being in Catholic churches (i.e. in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament) more than in Protestant churches.
 
No. Even before I converted when I was a Protestant I believed in the real presence. ‘This is my body’ was clear enough.
 
Curious11 said:
Why is this traditional Catholicism? I don’t believe you guys stopped believing in the Real Presence after Vatican II…
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The average Catholic is different compared to those on this forum. Those on this forum tend to take their faith more seriously. A large majority now don’t believe in the Real Presence possibly because they weren’t taught very well about it.
 
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That was off topic and inappropriate, Ray. Many non-Catholics believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist. Having what the Catholics call a valid priesthood is not needed for this belief.
 
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No. I remember even arguing about it back in 5th or 6th grade with some other kid.
My teacher had said something like, why they are keeping all that wine, and I was arguing with a kid about it. He was saying it was wine but I was saying it was the Blood. (I guess I didn’t realize that they drank it and thought they kept it like the Eucharist under the form of bread.

I mean if God is God then it really isn’t impossible. It always seemed weird for me that people thought miracles had to be realistic when God is omnipotent.
 
evangelical said:
The real presence? Did it take you some time to believe this theology?
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For me this has been pretty easy… I take a broad view…MT Chapter 18, Verse 20 ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’

Jesus in very clear language makes clear that he is truly in our midst and that is more than enough for me.
 
I always believed, although as a kid, I thought it was a chunk of Jesus’ flesh rather than the whole Christ…
 
It took a while, but I left the Church when I was about 10 and came home 30 years later. No RCIA, bible studies or anything at our very inward parish, so I moved from feeling there was something sacred happening to learning, believing and then love. It took a very long time (years and years) but I am a slow mover in the spiritual sense.
 
Jesus could speak and it be done. He said to Lazarus to come forth, and he was risen from the dead and did so.
Why then is it difficult to believe that He held Himself in His hands?
 
Okay I see what you mean! You don’t reject Vatican II right? And also, do you ever go to Latin mass?
 
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No, I don’t reject Vatican II; It’s valid. However, I do attend and prefer the Latin mass simply because I personally think it is much more reverent and I can pray much easier in the stillness and silence.
 
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