Why can only a priest confect the Eucharist?

[MarcoPolo]

Someone asked me this, and I have an idea, but I was wondering if anyone else had any insight, especially Scripture reference.

If a lay person can baptize, why not can he bless the Eucharist?

 

[dylanschrader]

Only a priest can confect the Eucharist because the commission of Christ “do this in memory of me” was given to the apostles.

The apostles and their successors, the bishops, have the fullness of Holy Orders. Priests are close “co-workers” with bishops. In fact the Latin term sacerdos, that is, “priest,” includes both the orders of priest and bishop. The more specific term presbyterus refers specifically to priests (not bishops) while episcopus refers to bishops (not priests).

Thus, within the sacrament of Holy Orders, the priesthood is connected closely with the episcopacy. How? Both the priest and the bishop are configured to Christ the Head of the Church and are thus able to represent God before the people and the people before God.

Deacons, in contrast, are configured to Christ the servant. Thus, they assist at the altar but also with the “ministry of Charity.” In the New Testament, for instance, the apostles ordain deacons who are in charge of taking care of widows, the sick, etc. so that the apostles are free to carry out their primary duty of teaching, sanctifying, and governing.

St. Ignatius of Antioch (ca. A.D. 117) wrote (I believe to the Ephesians) that the only “valid Eucharist” was the one celebrated “by the bishop or by one delegated by him.”

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

You may find it helpful to read the section of the Catechism that deals with Holy Orders. It’s at usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3.htm#art6 and talks about how priests started under the Old Covenant and goes on to the role of the priest today.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Mt 26:20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve.

The Eucharist was first confected at the Last Supper and his apostles were the ones who were present at that meal and not all the disciples. This is where the priesthood was implemented and where they were instructed to confect the Eucharist in memory of Him.

MarcoPolo:

If a lay person can baptize, why not can he bless the Eucharist?

Because Christ set it up that way is the easy lazy answer I suppose.

I speculate that the reason has to do with ensuring the unity of the Christian doctrine. No unifying Eucharist, no unified Christian doctrine. I need no further proof than to look at the disunified Protestant doctrines which has no unifying Eucharist to fall back on.

It’s the Eucharist that keeps us together as one faith community. It is reserved to the ministerial priesthood to ensure that unity.

 

[Hellisreal]

Someone asked me this, and I have an idea, but I was wondering if anyone else had any insight, especially Scripture reference.

If a lay person can baptize, why not can he bless the Eucharist?

Forgive me if this sounds a bit too abrupt an answer, but with this logic, why have Priests at all then?

Why go to confession?

I am sorry for sounding a bit trite here, but I dont understand where this person is coming from. The emphasis on the layity today is quite shocking and disturbing frankly.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Only a priest can confect the Eucharist because the commission of Christ “do this in memory of me” was given to the apostles.

Mt 26:20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve.

The Eucharist was first confected at the Last Supper and his apostles were the ones who were present at that meal and not all the disciples. This is where the priesthood was implemented and where they were instructed to confect the Eucharist in memory of Him.

Thank you both, I think that’s what I was looking for…I sort of blanked on that…the answer is almost too obvious. As well, these passages remind me of Paul expressing his authority of granting pardon in 2 Corinthians 2:10, explaining that he is doing so “in the person of Christ.”

Thanks also SuscipeMeDomine. It often seems to me that many non-Catholic religions focus less on the parallels of the Old and New Covenants.

Forgive me if this sounds a bit too abrupt an answer, but with this logic, why have Priests at all then?

This person is not Catholic and wanted to know why the “Eucharist” at her non-denominational church would be invalid…she was using the premise of why can only a priest do that? Where is that in the Bible? (if only Pat Madrid were here) Etc…etc… I merely wanted to explain the Catholic position acurately and charitably. Not that she will likely agree of course…but I can only do my part of showing.

 

[Hellisreal]

God bless, sorry I was confused.

 

[mayra_hart]

marco polo thank you for your information about eucharist. i have a sister that now is going to disciples of christ an until the other day she was thinking that there supposed eucharist was the same as the one we receive in the catholic church. she wasn’t happy when i told her that this is not so. hopefully one day she will returm home May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Adored, Glorified, Loved & Preserved throughout the world, now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Worker of Miracles, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, please pray for me. Amen:thumbsup:

 

[mdcpensive1]

To take this topic a bit further, the three-fold priesthood is something that dates back to the Old Testament. The Jews always had a universal priesthood as we do now. But, the High Priest was the one to offer the sacrifices in the temple on the alter. They had helpers in other priests to bring the sacrifices of the people to the alter to be slaughtered. As we have many similarities of the Jewish temple services incorporated into our Mass, the High Priest, who is Christ, has a helper a priest (in persona Christi) who offers the sacrifice for us to the Father.
mdcpensive1

 

[richardeekw]

Someone asked me this, and I have an idea, but I was wondering if anyone else had any insight, especially Scripture reference.

If a lay person can baptize, why not can he bless the Eucharist?

In addition to what other members have said;
The Eucharist is not just a Blessing.
Transubstantiation required the Powers of Holy Orders conferred to Apostolic Succesion to Priests; not to Baptized Christians in general.

An Anfallible verse from Sacred Scriptures by the Church
Luke 22:19 and I Corinthians 11:24,
recording our Lord’s words at the Last Supper: “Do this for a commemoration of me”, indicate the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the apostles being ordained as priests to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass or Holy Eucharist.

 

[LilyM]

The Eucharist is a sacrament. Baptism is in fact the only sacrament that isn’t entirely reserved to the priesthood or ordained deacons. It is the exception rather than the rule, since it is much more important in the scheme of things (hence more urgent) than the others.

No layperson can administer the sacrament of Penance in any circumstances. No layperson can administer the sacrament of Confirmation in any circumstances. No layperson may perform a sacramental marriage, although in certain circumstances a Catholic who has civil authority, for example by virtue of being a judge, may civilly marry two non-Catholic parties. No lay person can ordain a deacon or priest or install a Bishop. No lay person can perform the sacramental Anointing of the Sick.

 

[Hellisreal]

I think we ought to pray for our Priests after reading this thread.



Thank you God, for giving us those to feed the sheep and not leaving us alone. As you promised, as it will always be, forever and until the ages of ages Amen.

 

[Pax_Tibi]

The Eucharist is a sacrament. Baptism is in fact the only sacrament that isn’t entirely reserved to the priesthood or ordained deacons. It is the exception rather than the rule, since it is much more important in the scheme of things (hence more urgent) than the others.

No layperson can administer the sacrament of Penance in any circumstances. No layperson can administer the sacrament of Confirmation in any circumstances. No layperson may perform a sacramental marriage, although in certain circumstances a Catholic who has civil authority, for example by virtue of being a judge, may civilly marry two non-Catholic parties. No lay person can ordain a deacon or priest or install a Bishop. No lay person can perform the sacramental Anointing of the Sick.

I may have this wrong, but in the Sacrament of Matrimony aren’t the husband and wife the ministers of the sacrament through the exchange of vows, and the priest is the Official church witness and confers a blessing?

Thanks,

 

[Hellisreal]

I may have this wrong, but in the Sacrament of Matrimony aren’t the husband and wife the ministers of the sacrament through the exchange of vows, and the priest is the Official church witness and confers a blessing?

Thanks,

That is what I was told by my Priest, yes!

Still, more proof you cant do this without the Church though, or without a Priest at all.