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Ordinary Form·Liturgy of the Eucharist

Institution Narrative & Consecration

By Christ's words and the Spirit's power, the bread and wine become his Body and Blood.

What happens

Within the , the priest pronounces the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper: 'Take this, all of you, and eat of it… This is my Body… This is the chalice of my Blood…' He then genuflects in adoration after each , and the consecrated elements may be elevated for the people to see.

Why it happens

By the power of the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine are changed — — into the Body and Blood of Christ. This is the heart of the Eucharistic Sacrifice and the source of the Mass's efficacy.

Sources

  • GIRM §79d–e
  • CCC §§1374–1377
  • RS §§48–50