Why does the Catholic priest put water in the wine at Mass?
The mixing of water and wine during Mass is a symbolic act that represents the union of Christ’s divine and human natures.
Here are the primary reasons for this practice:
- Symbolism of Christ’s Incarnation:
- The water represents humanity, and the wine represents divinity.
- By mixing the two, the Church symbolizes the Incarnation of Christ, where God became man.
- Reference to Christ’s Passion:
- The mixing of water and wine recalls the blood and water that flowed from Christ’s side during his crucifixion (John 19:34).
- Early Christian Practice:
- This practice dates back to the early Church and was a common custom in ancient times.
- Eucharistic Significance:
- It signifies the unity of all believers in Christ, just as the water and wine are united.
This practice is a beautiful and meaningful part of the Catholic Mass, reminding us of the profound mystery of the Eucharist. Sources and related content
THE MIRACLE AT CANA
The miracle at Cana, described in the Gospel of John, is Jesus’ first public miracle. During a wedding feast, when the wine ran out, Mary, Jesus’ mother, approached Him with the problem. Jesus responded by turning water into wine, a miracle that showcased His divine power. This event not only solved an immediate problem but also revealed Jesus’ glory and divine nature to His disciples.
The Bible passage about Jesus turning water into wine is in John 2:1-11:
- The settingJesus and his disciples are invited to a wedding in Cana, Galilee, where his mother is also present.
- The eventWhen the wine runs out, Jesus’ mother tells him, “They have no wine”.
- Jesus’ actionJesus tells the servants to fill six stone water jars with water, which they do to the brim. He then tells them to draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.
- The resultThe master of the banquet tastes the water and is amazed to find that it has been turned into wine. He calls the bridegroom over and says, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now”.
This miracle was Jesus’ first, and it symbolizes:
- The abundance and blessing that come from a relationship with Jesus
- The transformation of human rituals into divine sacrifice
- The transformative power of Jesus’ ministry
- The new covenant
Jesus uses the Greek word sēmeion, or “sign”, to describe these miracles, which are meant to prove that he is God.
The two natures of Christ offered on the Cross
The archbishop emeritus of Toulouse, Robert Le Gall, explains in his Dictionary of Liturgy that putting water into wine is first and foremost a very practical gesture originating in Jewish liturgy. On feast days, the wine — often very strong in those arid, sun-drenched lands — is diluted before drinking. The origin of this practice is a reminder that the institution of the Eucharist is rooted in the festive meals of the people of Israel.
Beyond the symbolism evoked above of the Eucharist joining our humanity to Christ’s divinity, the cup also symbolizes the union of the two natures (human and divine) in the person of Christ. During his offering on the Cross, his two natures truly give themselves out of love. This love was already manifested on Golgotha by the water and blood that gushed from the pierced side, and which are also symbolized in the chalice filled with wine to which the minister adds a dash of water.
