Q. 886. {246} What is this change of the bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord called?  A. This change of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Our Lord is called Transubstantiation.

Q. 887.  What is the second great miracle in the Holy Eucharist?  A. The second great miracle in the Holy Eucharist is the multiplication of the presence of Our Lord’s body in so many places at the same time, while the body itself is not multiplied—­for there is but one body of Christ.

Q. 888.  Are there not, then, as many bodies of Christ as there are tabernacles in the world, or as there are Masses being said at the same time?  A. There are not as many bodies of Christ as there are tabernacles in the world, or as there are Masses being said at the same time; but only one body of Christ, which is everywhere present whole and entire in the Holy Eucharist, as God is everywhere present, while He is but one God.

Q. 889. {247} How was the substance of the bread and wine changed into the substance of the body and blood of Christ?  A. The substance of the bread and wine was changed into the substance of the body and blood of Christ by His almighty power.

Q. 890. {248} Does this change of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ continue to be made in the Church?  A. This change of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ continues to be made in the Church by Jesus Christ through the ministry of His priests.

Q. 891. {249} When did Christ give His priests the power to change bread and wine into His body and blood?  A. Christ gave His priests the power to change bread and wine into His body and blood when He said to the Apostles, “Do this in commemoration of Me.”

Q. 892.  What do the words “Do this in commemoration of Me” mean?  A. The words “Do this in commemoration of Me” mean:  Do what I, Christ, am doing at My last supper, namely, changing the substance of bread and wine into the substance of My body and blood; and do it in remembrance of Me.

Q. 893. {250} How do the priests exercise this power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ?  A. The priests exercise this power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ through the words of consecration in the Mass, which are words of Christ:  “This is my body; this is my blood.”

Q. 894.  At what part of the Mass does the Consecration take place?  A. The Consecration in the Mass takes place immediately before the elevation of the Host and Chalice, which are raised above the head of the priest that the people may adore Our Lord who has just come to the altar at the words of Consecration.

LESSON TWENTY-THIRD.  ON THE ENDS FOR WHICH THE HOLY EUCHARIST WAS INSTITUTED.

Q. 895. {251} Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist?  A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist—­

1.  To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His divine life. 2.  To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. 3.  To lessen our evil inclinations. 4.  To be a pledge of everlasting life. 5.  To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection. 6.  To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church.