Belief in the Real Presence of Jesus substantially contained in the Eucharist is central to Catholicism (John 6:27–58; CCC, 1374–1375), but Catholics show declining Real Presence beliefs, possibly due to a decrease in Eucharistic-centric liturgical practices. Here, I examine how bodily and related social liturgical practices predict U.S. Catholics’ Eucharistic beliefs. The results show that Catholics who receive, or see others receive, the Eucharist on the tongue and who favor reception on the tongue are more likely to believe in the Real Presence. Further, Real Presence beliefs are stronger for those whose parishes ring consecration bells and offer the Latin Mass. Returning to more Eucharistic-centric liturgical practices may bolster Catholics’ Real Presence beliefs.
Natalie A. Llindemann (Wed,) studied this question.