The Eucharist, Physics, Metaphysics: (Mis)Understanding the Real Presence

What do Catholics actually believe about the Eucharist? Much has been made of surveys that seem to show that many American Catholics misunderstand the Church’s teachings on the Eucharist. But what do these teachings mean? Is Christ’s presence in the Eucharist a physical presence? When Catholics speak about encountering Christ in the Eucharist, which words should we use? In the past the Church introduced technical terms to indicate the kind of change that makes an encounter with Christ in the Eucharist possible. But do we understand these terms today? This lecture examines the tension between modern science and Catholic doctrine on the Eucharist in an effort to cut through the confusion revealed in polls and parish life alike and arrive back at the mystery of encounter with Christ.