It’s always a good idea to pray for our Protestant brothers and sisters!
Recently, Christian social media influencer and YouTuber Will Bodgan broke the internet with a reel titled: “I’m a Protestant who believes in the Real Presence of the Eucharist.”
Bogdan is known for his faith-based and humorous content, but this video took a more serious turn.
The caption reads:
“My biggest yearn when I attend Mass is the Eucharist.”
Bogdan is not Catholic, but is he on his way?
“I’m a Protestant who believes in the True Presence of the Eucharist, and it’s my Pentecostal church that inspired me to believe this,” he begins.
Bogdan continues with the following quote from Saint John Chrysostom:
"For His word cannot deceive, but our senses are easily beguiled. That hath never failed, but this in most things goeth wrong. Since then, the word saith, 'This is my body,' let us both be persuaded and believe, and look at it with the eyes of the mind. For Christ hath given nothing sensible, but though in things sensible yet all to be perceived by the mind."
Then, he references Matthew 26:26-28, which says,
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, 'Take and eat; this is my body.'
"Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.'"
Bogdan continues, referencing the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:16)."
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?"
Bogdan also mentions Saint Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:27:
"Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord."
In his video, Bogdan also poses this question:
“If it were just a symbol, why would there be so much preface? Why is there such an emphasis placed on the sacred practice of the Eucharist if it is not the True Presence?”
He also notes that the True Presence was not a topic of debate in the Early Church. It is clearly biblical! Speculation and division on this came later.
According to Catholic Answers,
“The doctrine of the Real Presence asserts that in the Holy Eucharist Jesus is literally and wholly present—body and blood, soul and divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine. Many Protestants attack this doctrine as 'unbiblical,' but the Bible is forthright in declaring it (cf. 1 Cor. 10:16–17, 11:23–29; and, most forcefully, John 6:32–71).
The early Church Fathers interpreted these passages literally. In summarizing the early Fathers’ teachings on Christ’s Real Presence, renowned Protestant historian of the early Church J. N. D. Kelly, writes: 'Eucharistic teaching, it should be understood at the outset, was in general unquestioningly realist, i.e., the consecrated bread and wine were taken to be, and were treated and designated as, the Savior’s body and blood' (Early Christian Doctrines, 440).”
Bogdan goes on to share with his audience some notable excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and his belief that the Eucharist really is our source of life.
The comment section is filled with Catholics sharing their own conversion stories centered around the Eucharist and urging him to consider coming home to Christ’s Church.
One user commented, “Before I converted, my mouth would water during the consecration. Receiving still gives me chills to this day. 👏”
“Wow. I was a Protestant for 10 years in a Pentecostal church. When I came to believe in the Eucharist, I knew I had to convert to Catholicism to receive the real body and blood. This is encouraging, and I hope one day soon you will enter the Church so you can receive Him yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I officially became Catholic on 19th April 2025. Keep being led by the Spirit, brother 🙏,” said another.
“You have so many people who LOVE the Eucharist cheering you on. The Eucharist is everything. Everything. Everything.”
Another person suggested he head to Eucharistic Adoration, saying,
“You should try and see if there are any opportunities for Eucharistic adoration near you or any Eucharistic adoration chapels!”
Of course, some people in the comments disagreed with Bogdan or even tried to argue against it. However, the response was overarchingly positive!