Expert: Sal - 10/30/2006

Question
Hi Sal,

I was curious about my catholic religion. When they pray the Eucharistic Prayer like this for example:

{Invocation of the holy spirit}
Father, may this Holy spirit sanctify these offerings Let them become the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord as we celebrate the great mystery which he left us as an everlasting covenant.

{The Lord's supper}
He always loved those who were his own in the world.  When the time came for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly father, he showed the depth of his love. While they were at supper, he took bread, said the blessing broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this all of you and eat it:
this is my body which will be given up for you. then in my church the altar girl or boy rings the bell three times.

In the same way, he took the cup, filled with wine. He gave you thanks, and giving the cup to his disciples said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlassting covenant. It will be shedfor you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me. Again the bell is rung three times.Then Priest sings In the unity of the holy spirit of all in glory forever something like that. then the priest says or sings Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

and we sing christ has died, christ has risen, christ will come again. an he says Lord, remember those for whom we offer this scarifice, especially our Pope Benedic the 16th our bishop John J. Myers, and bishops and clergy everywhere. Remember those who take part in  this offering, those here present and all your people, and all who seek you with a sincere heart, and we sing Amen, Amen, A-men.Twice

Father, in your mercy grant also to us, you children, to enter into our heavenly inheritance in thecompany of the virgin Mary, the mother of God, and your apostles and saints. Then, in your kingdom, feed from the corruption of sin and death, we shall sing your glory with every creature through christ our Lord. Through whome you give us every that is good.

You get thee Idea :-) I was wondering about this prayer is it really changing the body and blood to Jesus present in the church. I believe in this prayer I just am still learning about my faith. I recieved Confirmation in June this year and now I am a true Christian. I just am so curious about learning our catholic tradition that its in my mind constantly. An if you bring blest holy water from the fountain in the church is it okay to bless the house with it. Since the priest blest it. An about recently the ghost in my home I think that there gone I havent heard anything since I now feel positive energy in the house like a heavenly energy I feel an angels presence in the home now is that a good thing? Now I am smelling fruit that I dont have half the time, and roses filled with purfume fragrants. Does that mean that Jesus is watching over my house that he faught a spiritual battle in my home with the ghost that wouldnt leave before?

God bless  

Answer
Dear Jaqueline:

The wine and bread become the blood and body of Christ when the priest says the words that our Lord did at the first Mass, the Last Supper. "This is my Body" and "This is my blood."

It is great that you want to learn your faith. It is fine to bless your home with holy water. Some saints have said that they smelled flowers when the Blessed Mother was near.

God Bless You,
Sal