Religion: For Air Raids

Central act of the Roman Catholic faith is the sacrifice of the Mass, which commemorates and re-enacts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Central mystery of the Mass is the consecration, by the celebrant, of the Host (wheaten wafer) and wine, which become, according to Catholic belief, transubstantiated into the Body and Blood of the Lord, and are consumed by the celebrant. Later, smaller wafers ("particles"), which are consecrated (and thus transubstantiated) at the same time, are distributed in Holy Communion. There must be some left over, to be placed in the tabernacle on the altar. These reserved Hosts are believed to be—not merely to represent—the Real Presence of Christ. This perpetual Presence explains why, when a church burns, someone always attempts to save the Host, often at the risk of his life.

To insure that the consecrated Host shall not be subjected to indignity or outrage, the Catholic Church has legislated in great detail. Last week the Primate of England's Catholics, Arthur Cardinal Kinsley, reminded his priests of what they should do in case of an air raid during Mass. If the Host has not been consecrated, said His Eminence, the Mass should be stopped at once, to be resumed later if possible. But if the consecration has been performed, the priest must consume the Host and wine, then end the Mass. Should the Host be lost during a raid, or be destroyed beyond recognition, the Church at some later time would be obliged to hold a solemn service of reparation.