Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Mysterium fidei (encyclical)
open-in-new
<h2 id="issues-causing-pastoral-anxiety">Issues causing "pastoral anxiety"</h2> <p>Paul VI felt very strongly that certain theological currents were threatening several Catholic doctrines and practices including: </p> <ul><li>Masses celebrated in private</li> <li>Doctrine of <a href="/facts/Transubstantiation/fdP2DuSz">transubstantiation</a></li> <li>Eucharistic <a href="/facts/Catholic_devotions/YpXg4zrw">devotions</a></li></ul> <h2 id="false-teachings-condemned">False teachings condemned</h2> <p>Pope Paul VI in the opening of the letter declares the following teachings are impermissible: </p> <ul><li>"to emphasize what is called the 'communal' Mass to the disparagement of Masses celebrated in private"</li> <li>"to exaggerate the element of sacramental sign as if the symbolism, which all certainly admit in the Eucharist, expresses fully and exhausts completely the mode of Christ's presence in this sacrament"</li> <li>"to discuss the mystery of transubstantiation without mentioning ... the marvelous conversion of the whole substance of the bread into the Body and of the whole substance of the wine into the Blood of Christ, speaking rather only of what is called "<a href="/facts/Transignification/zE8H37Kv">transignification</a>" and transfinalization"</li> <li>"to propose and act upon the opinion according to which, in the Consecrated Hosts which remain after the celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass, Christ Our Lord is no longer present."</li></ul> <p>"These and similar opinions do great harm to the faith and devotion to the Divine Eucharist. And therefore, so that the hope aroused by the Council, that a flourishing of Eucharistic piety which is now pervading the whole Church, be not frustrated by this spread of false opinions" </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Lollard/aHYhKymY">Lollard</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_03091965_mysterium_en.html"><i>Mysterium fidei</i></a>, full text</li></ul>