"As for Donatists, well "contending" with them is easy: "
My Donatist statement was in reference to our discussion from a few weeks ago on the homosexual priest thread where I was (politely) called a Donatist.
I understand the logic behind murphE's statement, but wonder if it is accepted Catholic (or Orthodox) thinking on the matter.
In Catholic or Orthodox theology, what exactly does a priest do to change the host into the flesh? By what power do they do this? How do they access that power?
(K, I think this is going to come back to your statement regarding the difference with which we view sacramentalism.)
"I understand the logic behind murphE's statement, but wonder if it is accepted Catholic (or Orthodox) thinking on the matter."
Like I said, it would depend on what a satanic mass is and what is meant by an apostate priest.
"In Catholic or Orthodox theology, what exactly does a priest do to change the host into the flesh? By what power do they do this? How do they access that power?"
I can't speak to Latin Rite Catholicism, especially now with their Novus Ordo, but in the Orthodox Divine Liturgies, it is the Holy Spirit which consecrates the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The priest calls upon The Father to send the Spirit down to do that. His authority is by virtue of his ordination. The section of the Liturgy is called the "Epiklesis" and a relevant snip is as follows:
"(Secretly said by the Priest). . . Again we offer unto thee this reasonable and unbloody service and beseech thee and pray thee and supplicate thee: send down thy Holy Spirit upon us and these Gifts here spread forth.
(The Priest signs the Holy Bread with the sign of the Cross, saying quietly:) And make this bread the precious Body of thy Christ:
(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross, saving quietly:) And that which is in this cup, the precious Blood of thy Christ:
(The Priest makes the sign of the Cross over both the Holy Gifts, saying quietly:) Changing them by thy Holy Spirit: Amen, Amen, Amen."
My thinking did not originate with me, Fr. Malachi Martin is the one I first heard speak of it, who did quite extensive investigation of Satanic infiltrators in the Church as well as witnessing, performing and writing about many, many exorcisms.
In Catholic or Orthodox theology, what exactly does a priest do to change the host into the flesh? By what power do they do this? How do they access that power?
The power of the priest to do this is a charism unique to the priesthood that they receive in the Sacrament of Holy Orders when they are ordained. This sacrament puts an indelible character or mark on their soul. For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.
For the consecration to take place, the valid form of must be used, valid matter must be used and the priest must have the right intentions.
Now in the traditional Latin Rite, the matter is unleavened bread made from wheat flour and water and nothing else, and wine from grapes -not any other fruit- (as well as a validly ordained priest).
The intention is to do what the Church intends, that is to consecrate the Eucharist.
The valid form in the Traditional Latin Rite are these words for consecrating the host,
HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM
(FOR THIS IS MY BODY)
And the words for consecrating the wine:
HIC EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET AETERNI TESTAMENTI: MYSTERIUM FIDEI: QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MULTIS EFFUNDETUR IN REMISSIONEM PECCATORUM
(FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT: THE MYSTERY OF FAITH: WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS)
It is my understanding that in a Satanic mass the whole mass is said in reverse (it is the inversion of what is holy) EXCEPT the words of consecration which are said correctly in order for there to be a valid consecration.