I've always assumed that the water poured into the wine before the consecration was "holy water;" however, I was surprised to learn that it is just . . . water.

I always thought before, that it was some kind of blessing or that it had to do with blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus when he was crucified. But if it is just water and the wine is just wine, it doesn't make sense any more. I'm sure it means something, but it escapes my limited understanding. Help me out here.

Also on a non-related thought, why do they call church seats, pews?

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), May 17, 2003

Answers

We actually don't know why the early Church mixed water with the wine for the consecration. But we have several early accounts of the fact that they did, such as Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.) and St. Justin (156 A.D.), who both described the practice. Today the act has multiple symbolism. One is, as you said, the blood and water which flowed from the side of Jesus during the very act which is re-presented in the Mass. The water and wine are also symbolic of the dual nature of Christ, which is why, while mixing them, the priest says "by this mingling of water and wine we may become partakers in the divine nature of Him Who for our salvation became partaker of our human nature". I have also heard it said that the water actually represents us, and the wine Jesus, since through the Eucharist we are truly united with the actual Body and Blood of the Lord. This is why only a small amount of water is added. He is the greater, we the lesser, yet a true union does occur.

According to my dictionary, "pew" derives from Middle English "pewe", which comes from the old French "puie", meaning "a balcony".

-- (PaulCyp@cox.net), May 18, 2003.

It does start out as "just" bread and "just" wine, then the whole thing is blessed and becomes the body and blood of Jesus. That is what is happeneing in the Mass from the point where the offering is takent to the alter to the point where we go to receive communion. Specifically at the point where the priest holds up the host and they ring those bells. The term for this mystery is Transubstanciation.

-- M R (wednesdaynm@hotmail.com), May 18, 2003.

Actually we do know why the early Church mixed water with the wine. In short, because you had too. Wine in the ancient world was produced and sold rather thick and syrupy. Water had to be added to it to make it drinkable. It could also then be "watered down" to the taste of the drinker.

-- Fr. Michael Skrocki, JCL (abounamike@aol.com), May 18, 2003.

"It could also then be "watered down" to the taste of the drinker."

This explanation would make for a most unique post conciliar analogy... in that sense, I like it...! lol.

The Council of Florence explains it and refers to the book of Apocalypse; you can find it in that council, but actually it can be found all around us. Water represents humanity. It's throughout the Scriptures and everywhere in life and art. The waters of the Sacrament of Baptism; the blood and water that flowed from the side of Christ which are depicted in the red and white rays of the Divine Mercy image of Christ; the wedding feast at Cana where water is turned to the finest wine, which in turn brings up matter of Mary's womb as the vessel of salvation, with water in it where Christ became man, and Mary's being the point of contact between the human and the Divine, also representing the Bride of Christ and representing the Church with Mary being called by saints the Ark and the Church the Ark of Salvation... these things are far being symbolic and touch on the very essences of reality beyond the senses.

Once in a lifetime

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), May 18, 2003.

That reminds me, Lynn... if water represents humanity and it is mixed with the wine before the consecration, I wonder if that has some sort of significance as to how we are to suffer with Christ and become partakers in His Passion with Him? A way of thinking that seems for the most part absent from everything else other than Catholicism.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), May 18, 2003.

If all that is true and all that symbolism is going on, then why wouldn't it be poured in after the consecration?

Father Mike, I like your response, it seems the most plausible. I am convinced that many mundane and ordinary practices have gradually gathered theological significance to the point that watering down the wine now becomes the nourishing "water" in Mary's holy womb.

All kidding aside, I appreciate the responses and always enjoy the different backgrounds of the respondents.

Peace

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), May 19, 2003.