One of the most important aspects of the Catholic faith that drew me to the Church was the doctrinal truth that Christ is fully present, body, blood, soul and divinity in the bread and wine once consecrated at Mass. Once I realized this truth it created a soul-searching dilemma for me. I wanted it. I believed it was God’s will that I embrace this truth and live in it. But to do this I had to become Catholic. There was no alternative. For me to become Catholic meant giving up what I had spent years training to be, an ordained minister in the Protestant church. So, when I finally became Catholic, it came to me as a very disappointing shock to discover that, according to surveys of Mass attending Catholics, a large majority do not believe that Jesus is truly and fully present in the Blessed Sacrament but that it is merely a symbol of His presence. At that time, over 25 years ago, I wondered why they remained Catholic. I think of a comment made by the 20th century Catholic author, Flannery O’Conner, when an acquaintance at a dinner party mused that the Sacrament was merely a symbol. To which O’Conner countered, “If that’s the case, the hell with it.” (Forgive the language, but the theological truth is that disbelief in the real presence is from hell.) Today we see that exodus from the Church happening. According to surveys, 1-3 percent of self- identifying Catholics per years are disconnecting and no longer identify as being Catholic. The disbelief of the Real Presence of Christ that became prominent a few decades ago has caught up with us. Our Catholic belief in Christ’s real presence is not optional. To cease to believe in the Real Presence is to cease to be Catholic in reality if not in name. If you are struggling with your faith life, I challenge you to prayerfully contemplate the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. This truth is at the very center and core of our faith. All other spiritual necessities blossom forth from this living truth! Why do we believe such a bold and challenging doctrine? Because He, (Jesus), said so! Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid