Reason 12

12. Because the New Mass confuses the REAL Presence of Christ in the Eucharist with His MYSTICAL Presence among us (proximating Protestant doctrine).


Despite having grown up Protestant, I have no idea what doctrine is referred to here. The Mystical Presence of Christ is both a Protestant and Catholic doctrine. It is based off Sacred Scripture wherein Christ says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

I cannot see how the Real Presence of Christ can possibly be confused with His Mystical Presence. The Priest does not attempt to consecrate the congregation, nor does he genuflect to them. These are two almost radically distinct concepts.

At best this objection could be considered to be referring to the rather real problem of emphasis. Many Masses today emphasize the Mystical Presence of Christ over and above the Real Presence, with priests telling people not to bow to Christ or instead to bow to each other. This is a valid concern, as the popular theology of the last fifty years (not the theology of the Second Vatican Council) makes the congregation out to be more important then the Eucharist. This can clearly be seen in the preference for church buildings with centered altars. This is not in itself a wrong design (St. Peters in Rome follows it) but the theology behind the decision is to emphasize the Mystical Presence of Christ.

This mistaken emphasis is again a result of the so-called spirit of Vatican II rather than by any intent by the council or revision of the Liturgy. The Council sought to remind us of the Mystical Presence (fearing it may be forgotten) but did not (in my eyes) intend to make it such a central issue and certainly did not intend for it to take preference over the Eucharist.

If there is one flaw with the traditional Mass, or more specifically with the way it is commonly approached, is that it does not offer a strong emphasis on the Mystical Presence of Christ. His Presence in the Eucharist, the Gospel, the person of the Priest, the Altar, and even Sacred Images is strong, but people tended to overlook His Mystical Presence. Today, sadly, we are suffering the opposite deficit, such that people would be unlikely to know where His Presence resides beyond among the members there present. And this is most lamentable.

In the end all these Presences of Christ must be remembered, but it also must be remembered that He is most fully, most completely Present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our Faith.