From THE DIGNITY AND DUTIES

From THE DIGNITY AND DUTIES OF THE PRIEST, St. Alphonsus Liguori.

“With regard to the power of the priests over the real body of Christ, it is of faith that when they pronounce the words of consecration, the incarnate God has obliged himself to obey and come into their hands under the appearance of bread and wine. We are struck with wonder when we find that in obedience to the words of his priests – hoc est corpus meum – God Himself descends on the altar, and that He comes whenever they call Him, and as often as they call Him, and places Himself in their hands, even though they should be His enemies. And after having come He remains entirely at their disposal and they move Him about as they please from one place to another. They may, if they wish, shut Him up in the tabernacle, or expose Him on the altar, or carry Him outside the church; they may, if they choose, eat His flesh, and give Him for the food of others.”