Transubstantiation and duration of effect

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modestobruce

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This may be a weird question, but, how long is a host transubstantiated? I’m a Eucharistic Minister and the thought came to me whether or not hosts that have been put through a full mass stay changed. Obviously, not all hosts are used in each mass so the remainder go back to the tabernacle. I assume they get mixed in with “new” hosts before the next mass. Does a host stay in the changed state forever?
 
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It’ll stay Christ’s body and blood so long as the accident remains. For that reason, you can take the host to a sick person in the hospital who couldn’t attend Mass, and they’re still receiving Christ. You can also use the host for things like Eucharistic Adoration long after Mass has been said.
 
Yes and in the case of the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena, the hosts have also been staying fresh since 1730!
 
modestobruce said:
I assume they get mixed in with “new” hosts before the next mass.
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Technically, during or after; “new” hosts will be consecrated at the next Mass, while those reserved in the tabernacle, if needed, are brought to the altar after the consecration. They can’t be combined before Mass because one is bread and the other is not.
modestobruce said:
Does a host stay in the changed state forever?
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Yes - at least until it is no longer in any recongnizable form due to natural processes.
 
I have seen those Hosts - truly miraculous:
  • Pristine
  • Brilliantly white
  • Fresh smelling
  • One of the popes ate a tiny piece from one of them, perfectly fresh and normal tasting.
Well worth seeing while in Siena.
 
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I must ask for educational purposes , what education did you receive in becoming an EMCH. And who taught you and what type of teaching you had.

thanks
 
I don’t appreciate the insulting and cynical nature of your question. God bless.
 
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I think it’s fair to expect an EMHC to fully grasp Catholic dogma pertaining to transubstantiation and the Eucharist. It’s not you’re fault if you weren’t formed properly and it’s wise of you to ask such a question now.
 
Jehu2077 said:
I think it’s fair to expect an EMHC to fully grasp Catholic dogma pertaining to transubstantiation and the Eucharist. It’s not you’re fault if you weren’t formed properly and it’s wise of you to ask such a question now.
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That’s absolutely so. What worries me is the bad state of catechesis in general. I would expect anyone who has made their First Holy Communion to know that the Real Presence persists after Mass, because otherwise how to explain visits to the Blessed Sacrament, reverence in church, genuflecting before the Tabernacle, Exposition etc. etc. ?

That somebody evidently doesn’t know this, because they haven’t been taught this, yet has reached adulthood and is in good standing in the parish (otherwise they would not be invited to be an EMHC) is truly concerning.
 
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It is not meant to be insulting or cynical. One of the disadvantages of the written form of communication is that body language and tone are not effectively communicated.
It was your experience and your question. And for those of us looking to educate and train in ministries ourselves or in the training of others, it would be a great gift to know how you came to ask. Australia is having a Plenary Council. Everyone is called to submit their thoughts, experiences and ideas to the pre council communication. Catechism, education and training are areas that will hopefully be looked at in the Plenary Council. And for this to happen, Australian Catholics and non Catholics must submit their ideas, experiences and suggestions.

Please do not read insult and cynicism into every CAF post, give them a chance, ask , if you feel you are being insulted. Ask the meaning of the comment or question.
 
Thank you for that. I’m dealing with a pain issue right now and I guess it’s getting me cranky. AFA my training, it wasn’t very involved. I asked to be an EM for hospitalized patients. I shadowed an EM for several days then was let loose. She didn’t really catechise me, just showed me the practical steps and readings to give and what to do should a host be dropped. I believe the EMs that work in church receive a moral in depth training schedule. God bless.
 
Could a church have a special mass to transubstantiate enough for several masses?

I know my children would prefer more engaging sermon / music if the body and blood of Jesus’ did not need to be changed at every mass.
 
Lifeisbeautiful3 said:
Could a church have a special mass to transubstantiate enough for several masses?

I know my children would prefer more engaging sermon / music if the body and blood of Jesus’ did not need to be changed at every mass.
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You do know that children under the age of seven or thereabouts do not have to go to Mass?
 
modestobruce said:
. She didn’t really catechise me, just showed me the practical steps and readings to give and what to do should a host be dropped. .
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I suppose, to be fair, it did not occur to her that you hadn’t been taught about the Real Presence. It sounds like she covered what she should - the procedure, what to do in the case of an accident etc. She wouldn’t have thought she had to catechise you, that should have been done before you made your First Holy Communion…
 
But then it wouldn’t be a mass anymore. It’d be a “service.”
 
Exactly.
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Thankyou.
You are in my prayers for your pain. Might I suggest speaking to your Priest and asking to be included in their next formal EMCH training sessions.

I just want to say that Jesus is present in the entire Mass, in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 
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Thank you and I’ll pray for you. I’m a cradle Catholic and raised during the strict days of the 60’s so I find talking to a priest intimidating. I will look into going through the training for becoming a church EM.
 
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