Resubstantiation is a word that refers to the belief that the bread and wine used in the sacrament of Communion become the actual body and blood of Christ. This word is pronounced /ˌri.səbˌstæn.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃən/ and is spelled with the prefix "re-" meaning "again" or "repeating," followed by "substantiation" which means "the act of making something real or substantial." Proper spelling of this word ensures clear communication of theological beliefs related to the Eucharist.
Resubstantiation is a term commonly used in philosophical and theological contexts, referring to the concept of the renewal or restoration of substance or essence. Rooted in the Latin word "substantia," meaning substance, and the prefix "re," indicating repetition or return, resubstantiation represents the idea of bringing back or recreating the inherent nature or being of something.
In philosophical discussions, resubstantiation often relates to the theories surrounding the nature of existence and the underlying reality of entities. It posits that an object or entity can undergo a process of resubstantiation, whereby its fundamental essence is restored or changed. This concept challenges the notion of a fixed and unchanging identity, suggesting that entities can be transformed, evolving into a different substance while retaining elements of their original nature.
In theological contexts, resubstantiation is associated with the sacrament of Holy Communion, particularly within the Catholic Church. It involves the belief that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine used in the sacrament undergo a transformation in substance, becoming the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ. This idea contrasts with the concept of transubstantiation, which asserts that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ while the outer appearance remains unchanged.
Resubstantiation, therefore, encompasses the broader notion of a modified or renewed state of substance or essence in various philosophical and theological frameworks. It asserts that entities can experience a reconstitution or alteration in their fundamental nature, accounting for transformation and change within the context of existence and religious sacraments.
The word "resubstantiation" is derived from the combination of the prefix "re-" meaning "again" and the noun "substantiation".
The term "substantiation" itself comes from the Latin word "substantiatio", which is derived from the verb "substantiare" meaning "to substantiate" or "to confirm". In Latin, "substantiatio" refers to the act of confirming or establishing something as substantial or real.
So, "resubstantiation" essentially means the act of reaffirming or confirming the substantial or real nature of something. In a specific context, it may refer to the belief in the Catholic sacrament of Eucharist, where the bread and wine are believed to undergo a process of "resubstantiation" or being transformed into the body and blood of Christ.