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Eucharist in the creed?
OSV.com ^ | 07-20-16 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 07/23/2016 9:19:23 AM PDT by Salvation

Eucharist in the creed?

Msgr. Charles Pope

Question: The true presence of Christ in the Eucharist is central to our Catholic faith, and many converts say it was essential to their conversion. If this is so, why is the true presence not mentioned at all in the Nicene or Apostles Creeds? Should it not be added at the end where we state things like our belief in the Communion of Saints, the resurrection of the body and so forth? Jerry Roventini, via email

Answer: There are many things that are not mentioned in the Nicene Creed. There is no mention of the Ten Commandments or grace; neither are we told what books belong to the New Testament or that we should care for the poor, etc. The creed is not a catechism; it is a statement of certain key doctrines that were disputed at the time of its composition in the fourth century.

The creed was composed in response to debates about the divinity of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. While there are a few concluding statements related to ecclesiology and eschatology, the Nicene Creed remains preeminently a statement of faith in the one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The belief in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist was not widely disputed at the time. And to the degree it was, the need to definitively teach on the divinity of Christ was an important foundation in order to establish his true presence in the Eucharist.  

In the Sacred Liturgy, many signs and words indicate the Real Presence. The words of the consecration, which are Jesus’ own words, say, “This is my body … my blood.” The priest later says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” There are also signs of the Real Presence in our reverence of kneeling and genuflecting. And, as Communion is distributed, there is the simple creedal declaration and response: “The body of Christ. Amen.” Therefore, in the wider liturgy of the Mass and devotions such as adoration, the Church proclaims her belief in the True Presence.

While it would not intrinsically hurt to add to the Nicene Creed, one might wonder where it would stop. Further, since the creed is shared by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, adding to the ancient creed might harm attempts at unity.

Pope Paul VI wrote a longer “Credo of the People of God” which does speak to the Eucharistic presence, but it is too long to recite at Mass.


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; eucharist; msgrcharlespope; thecreed
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To: boatbums
It wasn't until the Council of Trent (when WAS that? Oh, yeah the SIXTEENTH CENTURY) that the doctrine was defined in the second canon of the thirteenth session of the Council of Trent. How many more times will this have to be explained before the untruths about its origin stop being propagated here???

You don't seem to understand....if the Catholic church declares it a dogma, it doesn't mean that from now on you will believe what it says, it means that it was the truth FROM THE BEGINNING...and it still is.

Like the assumption....declared not too long ago, but true from its existence.

321 posted on 07/30/2016 6:54:42 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: MHGinTN
IIRC, the BIBLE says God cannot lie.

Of course He cannot lie, whatever He says is automatically the truth....The president cannot disclose state secrets because the moment he discloses them, they are no longer official state secrets.....when you make the rules, you cannot violate them....

322 posted on 07/30/2016 7:06:21 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: Mark17
Catholicism is the ONLY One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church on Earth, always has been, always will be...Catholicism is the ONLY true Christian church in the world...eat your heart out, that's the way it is. LOL, eat your heart out bro, I disagree. That's NOT the way it is. You can eat dinuguan if you want bro, but I won't do it.

O.K. by me, after 1,600 years of the truth, you, Calvin, Luther, Zwingley, Wesley et al decided that you knew better that thousands of learned leaders of Christianity over the centuries.....I guess you can do whatever you want, but I sure don't understand why you want it......either you are right or they are.....I'll stick with them.

323 posted on 07/30/2016 7:14:14 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: metmom
Just like the pathetic *Luther removed books from the Bible*

are you saying that the protestant version of the Bible is EXACTLY the same as the Catholic version????????????????

324 posted on 07/30/2016 7:17:28 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: terycarl

No, TC, AGAIN it is you who doesn’t understand.

Answer me this...if the Council of Trent FORMALLY declared the dogma of “transubstantiation” it meant that UP TILL THEN, there was not full agreement. Just as the previous link I provided to you about Duns Scotus. He acknowledged that disagreement and discussion was ongoing. It’s the same reason the “canon” of the Bible could be proved to have been in dispute within the RCC and not settled because the Council made a formal declaration in the sixteenth century.

What you claim is the “truth” is only from the narrow view of Roman Catholics and is not necessarily a belief held by all Christians from all time. The Assumption of Mary isn’t a “fact” - facts have proof. It is a belief of some and cannot even be shown to have been believed by the Apostles or the first Christians.

I heard a great come back the other day that applies to you - you need to start working on a bridge...the one that helps you get over yourself!


325 posted on 07/30/2016 7:21:01 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: Elsie
Most reasonable folks would think that those who make the claim that 'the number changes by the hour' should be the one's that know the total!!!

I knew the exact total at 6:00PM CST, but by 6:15 it had changed and by 6:23 it had changed twice more and by 6:30 some had come and others had gone...keep us posted, it is your field, not mine.

326 posted on 07/30/2016 7:30:16 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: terycarl
Your soul cannot be so dead that you actually believe your twisted analogy! Then again, after reading so many of your posts, maybe you are that far off the mark.

That God cannot lie is because of HIS CHARACTER, not because He created the Universe! Your twisted soul has twisted that Truth around to essentially support the idiocy of 'there is nothing God cannot do'! Really, fellow old man (I'm 70, dontchaknow), take up the Bible and Learn of Him Who took flesh and dwelt among us. The Ten Commandments are an excellent starting point in 'seeing' the character of God our Savior. Don't mistake His power over His creation with His righteous character. That borders on blasphemy.

327 posted on 07/30/2016 7:35:25 PM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for spiritual discernment)
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To: terycarl
I recognize that the red substance in meat is not pure blood, but it certainly has a percentage of blood in it....you cannot possibly drain all blood out of anything.

So, you are backtracking now? As the science states, that "blood" you think you are eating isn't, but is only a component of hemoglobin (blood) called "myoglobin" - a protein mixed with water.

In your zeal to try to get someone to admit they eat blood, in disobedience to the New Testament command to abstain from blood, you have yet again failed to prove your point. Besides, haven't you gone on record here admitting that the bread and wine are NOT literally changed into physical flesh and blood? I seem to remember you saying that - which would be the truth. Even your Catechism states the "accidents" of bread and wine remain unchanged.

You seem to REALLY like your tangents.

328 posted on 07/30/2016 7:45:40 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: Elsie
The first Mass was said at the last supper... Says a thoroughly indoctrinated Catholic who has NEVER seen ANY evidence to back up what he so BOLDLY asserts!

I read both a Catholic and edited protestant Bible and they both described, at the last supper, the exact thing that I see at every Catholic mass I've ever attended...close enough for me!!.

329 posted on 07/30/2016 7:47:28 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: daniel1212
Which means he did not "know" Him in the Biblical, salvific sense. Like most Caths.

Yeah....right......sigh!

330 posted on 07/30/2016 7:51:11 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: daniel1212
Moreover, believing that bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ even though the elements, look, taste and would scientifically test to be ordinary bread and wine is hardly purely literal. Imagine if we held that the body and blood of Christ on the cross was real but imperceptible to the senses and scientific testing.

That is exactly what the Catholic church teaches...Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.....under the appearance of bread and wine.....no confusion whatsoever!

331 posted on 07/30/2016 7:54:58 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: MHGinTN
So you cannot answer the question and resort to blustering spittle. Thanks for confirming the assessment of your ignorance of the BIBLE and Whom JESUS is and the nature of HIS Glorified Body IN HEAVEN.

well.....yeah...His glorified boy is indeed in Heaven, so what, no one denies that.....do you suppose, even for a moment, that He is incapable of being bodily present in the Catholic Eucharist????

I didn't think so!

332 posted on 07/30/2016 8:01:15 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: MHGinTN
Actually, terycarl has illustrated the ignorance which cannot egt past the magic thinking, to discern the Truths in the Bible. The BIBLE says God cannot lie, yet terycarl calls that a childish assertion because in terycarl’s Catholic mind god must be able to do anything else catholiciism is existing on very shaky ‘other religion’ ground.

you become more entertaining as the conversation continues....chuckle...chuckle

333 posted on 07/30/2016 8:03:51 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: terycarl; metmom; boatbums; Elsie; knarf; Gamecock; MHGinTN; aMorePerfectUnion
Like the assumption....declared not too long ago, but true from its existence.

I disagree bro. Mary's body lies a mouldering in the grave. The RCC needs this assumption thing, in order promote her to demigoddess status. I disagree with that too bro. Mary has no power to do anything, except reside in Heaven, with all the other saints.
BTW, only saints (Christians) go to Heaven. All others go to Hell. Someone must become a saint (Christian) here on earth, not centuries after their death.

334 posted on 07/30/2016 8:12:01 PM PDT by Mark17 (The love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure.)
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To: boatbums
Answer me this...if the Council of Trent FORMALLY declared the dogma of “transubstantiation” it meant that UP TILL THEN, there was not full agreement. Just as the previous link I provided to you about Duns Scotus. He acknowledged that disagreement and discussion was ongoing. It’s the same reason the “canon” of the Bible could be proved to have been in dispute within the RCC and not settled because the Council made a formal declaration in the sixteenth century.

That makes no difference whatsoever....if the Catholic church declares something a dogma, a truth to be believed, it does not mean tha from now on it is a truth, it means that they declare that it ALWAYS was the truth maybe not recognized by all, but nevertheless the truth....and yes, the Assumption and the Immaculate Conception are now and always were the truth.....oh ye of little faith.

335 posted on 07/30/2016 8:12:20 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: MHGinTN
That God cannot lie is because of HIS CHARACTER, not because He created the Universe! Your twisted soul has twisted that Truth around to essentially support the idiocy of 'there is nothing God cannot do'! Really, fellow old man (I'm 70, dontchaknow), take up the Bible and Learn of Him Who took flesh and dwelt among us. The Ten Commandments are an excellent starting point in 'seeing' the character of God our Savior. Don't mistake His power over His creation with His righteous character. That borders on blasphemy.

Oh please....you take yourself far too seriously....we are talking here in human terms, about realistic and responsible trains of thought....the Catholic church has been here for 2,016 years.....the protestant revolution took place about 400 years ago....we have buildings older that that, and while I believe that most Prottys are indeed Christians, I believe that ALL of them are either in error or at best, incomplete.

336 posted on 07/30/2016 8:23:59 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: boatbums
So, you are backtracking now? As the science states, that "blood" you think you are eating isn't, but is only a component of hemoglobin (blood) called "myoglobin" - a protein mixed with water. In your zeal to try to get someone to admit they eat blood, in disobedience to the New Testament command to abstain from blood, you have yet again failed to prove your point. Besides, haven't you gone on record here admitting that the bread and wine are NOT literally changed into physical flesh and blood? I seem to remember you saying that - which would be the truth. Even your Catechism states the "accidents" of bread and wine remain unchanged. You seem to REALLY like your tangents.

Oh good grief...myoglobin is so close to hemoglobin that there is basically no difference.

Did you ever bite your tongue or cheek???....did you spit out EVERY bit of blood??....did you ever have a tooth pulled??????.....did you spit out every drop of blood that was in your mouth?????

337 posted on 07/30/2016 8:29:59 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: terycarl; metmom; boatbums; MHGinTN; knarf; aMorePerfectUnion
O.K. by me, after 1,600 years of the truth,

I disagree bro. The RCC was in grievous error, which is why the reformers came on, to tell the truth.
Praise God for the great reformers, who told the truth, and helped us real true Christians, become our own popes.
I believe this has been explained to you about 47 million times. I have no intention of making it 47 million and one.
Try being your own pope for a change, you will like it.

338 posted on 07/30/2016 8:33:57 PM PDT by Mark17 (The love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure.)
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To: Mark17
I disagree bro. Mary's body lies a mouldering in the grave. The RCC needs this assumption thing, in order promote her to demigoddess status. I disagree with that too bro. Mary has no power to do anything, except reside in Heaven, with all the other saints. BTW, only saints (Christians) go to Heaven. All others go to Hell. Someone must become a saint (Christian) here on earth, not centuries after their death. p> O.K., I Guess, just where is her grave...seems to me that the followers of THE SON OF GOD would know where His mothers grave was......they don't.. You have things mixed up, all in Heaven are saints, they didn't get to Heaven because they were saints on Earth.....and those declared Saints by the church were in Heaven long before that....the church merely declares that it assures humans that they are in Heaven....but if your mom and dad are in Heaven, they are, by definition...Saints.

why are you confused about that?????

339 posted on 07/30/2016 8:39:34 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL!)
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To: boatbums
you need to start working on a bridge...the one that helps you get over yourself!

Don't you think it might be easier to build a working time machine? 😀😃😎

340 posted on 07/30/2016 8:44:34 PM PDT by Mark17 (The love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure.)
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