How can that which is bread be the Body of Christ? By consecration. Consecration by what words; by whose words? Those of the Lord Jesus. For all the other words which are said previous to this are said by the priest: the praises that are offered to God, the prayer that is offered for the congregation, for rulers, and for others. But when the moment comes to consecrate the venerable sacrament, the priest will no longer use his own words, but will use the words of Christ. It is therefore the Word of Christ that consecrates this sacrament. ––(attrib.) St. Ambrose, On the Sacraments
What a salutary quote. Thank you for sharing it with us Father Weedon.
ReplyDeletePax,
frW
Thanks, Fr. Jay! Ambrose or pseudo-Ambrose, it's just right on.
ReplyDelete