Words of consecration and intent

[ae22]

This may seem like a stupid question (probably because it is), but here oe

If a Priest, without intending to cause any transubstantiation, says the words of consecration (as practice or whatever) in a room where bread and wine are contained…are the bread and wine changed into the Body and Blood of our Lord, or must the Priest INTEND to change them for them to change?

 

[FrDavid96]

The priest must have the intention to consecrate. If he does not have the intention to consecrate, then no consecration occurs.

 

[TARRAT]

The priest must have the intention to consecrate. If he does not have the intention to consecrate, then no consecration occurs.

And correct me if I’m wrong, Fr., but the bread and wine must be on the altar and not just in the room and specifically on the small white cloth on the altar (forgot what it’s called).

 

[FrDavid96]

And correct me if I’m wrong, Fr., but the bread and wine must be on the altar and not just in the room and specifically on the small white cloth on the altar (forgot what it’s called).

Right. The elements (bread and wine to be consecrated) must be placed onto the corporal (the small white cloth).

However, if they are not on the corporal, the priest may still consecrate them if he has the specific intention to do so. For example, if there is a very large number of vessels (ciboria) containing the hosts, and they simply won’t fit onto the corporal, the first thing to do is add another corporal, but if not, the priest can still set them on the altar and specifically intend to consecrate them. The point is that if they are not on the corporal, then a specific intention is necessary.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Thank you, Father, for clearing up the mystery of why our priest asked me to place three corporals on the altar for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper instead of the usual single corporal. I simply did what was requested of me (ah, the joy of obedience :getholy, but never got around to asking after the fact.

 

[janeway529]

Thank you, Father, for clearing up the mystery of why our priest asked me to place three corporals on the altar for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper instead of the usual single corporal. I simply did what was requested of me (ah, the joy of obedience :getholy, but never got around to asking after the fact.

Just FYI, corporals come in different sizes. I’ve seen an extra large one for an extra large altar.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Just FYI, corporals come in different sizes. I’ve seen an extra large one for an extra large altar.

I am indeed aware of that We have at least five different sizes of corporal in that church alone (ours is a three-church parish), including one that is only used on Holy/Maundy Thursday. That one measures about 25"x25" so imagine my surprise when I was asked to add two others :ehh:

If I understand FrDavid correctly, the elements don’t have to be on the corporal to be validly consecrated but the ideal situation is for them to be. That must be why my priest asked for additional corporals: he wanted to be sure all the vessels could be placed on one. But had he not done so, all the elements on the altar would have been consecrated regardless because it surely was Father’s intention that they would be.