When does the consecration take effect?

[bosco]

I heard recently that the bread and wine do not both become the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ until a portion of the host is broken off and dropped into the chalice. Is this true? If it is what is the host after the priest says “This is my Body” but before a portion is dropped into the chalice and what about the same for the cup?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Bosco,

Who have you been talking to? When the priest says: “This is my Body.” the bread becomes the Body of Christ–period! And so for the wine. The placing of a small piece of the host into the chalice symbolizes the reuniting of Christ’s Body and Blood in the resurrection. It is purely symbolic.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.