Real Presence
The Catholic teaching that Christ is truly, really and substantially present — Body, Blood, soul and divinity — in the consecrated bread and wine, not merely symbolically.
Christ is present to his Church in many ways: in the poor, in his word, in the assembly, in the priest. But his presence in the Eucharist is unique, and the Church calls it “real” not to say the others are unreal but because it is presence in the fullest sense: the whole Christ, God and man, is truly, really and substantially contained under the appearances of bread and wine. This presence begins at the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species remain, which is why the reserved Sacrament is adored.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 1215Fourth Lateran Councilthe decrees
- 1545–1563Council of Trentthe decrees
Sources checked 29 September 2026