words of institution

English

Alternative forms

• Words of Institution

Etymology

Calque of Ecclesiastical Latin verba īnstitūtiōnis, i.e. the words by which Jesus instituted, or established, the sacrament.

Proper noun

the words of institution pl (plural only)

1. (Christianity) The pronouncements “This is my body” and “This is my blood”, said by the celebrant(s) at the climax of most eucharistic liturgies and held by many churches to be essential to the performance of the rite.