Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
The words of Christ at the Last Supper, recorded by the sunoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-21); and St. Paul (I Corinthians 11:23-29). Their essential features are: 1. Christ separately consecrated bread and wine; 2. over the bread he said "This is my body" and over the wine "This is the chalice of my blood"; 3. The elements of bread and wine were thus changed into the living Christ; 4. he empowered the Apostles and their succesors to perform the same consecrating action; 5. he bade his followers to partake of the eucharist; 6. at the Last Supper, Christ offered his life to the Heavenly Father, but the actual death resulting from the sacrifice was to take place on the following day on Calvary.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
