Harvard University's Extension Cultural Studies Club will move forward with its plan to host a black mass on May 12, but the ritual will not involve a consecrated host.
On Wednesday, the Cultural Studies Club announced on the Extension School website that although the black mass will use a piece of bread, the bread will not be changed into the Eucharist.
A black mass is a satanic ceremony that mocks the traditional Catholic mass. The ritual often involves desecration of the Eucharist, and inviting the devil in instead of casting him out.
The Satanic Temple, who will perform the black mass, explained the absence of the Eucharist.
"While Black Masses are supposed to utilize a consecrated host, ours is merely representative of a consecrated host," Satanic Temple spokesman Lucian Greaves told CNSNews.com. "It is not consecrated. We neither believe in nor invoke the supernatural."
The Cultural Studies Club stated that they do not intend to offend anyone, and that the satanic ritual will be an educational event.
"Our purpose is not to denigrate any religion or faith, which would be repugnant to our educational purposes, but instead to learn and experience the history of different cultural practices," they wrote in a statement. "This performance is part of a larger effort to explore religious facets that continue to influence contemporary culture."
The Satanic Temple will also speak to the students about the historical significance of black masses.
The planned ritual has received criticism, with the Archdiocese of Boston expressing strong opposition to the on-campus activity.
"In a recent statement, Pope Francis warned of the danger of being naïve about or underestimating the power of Satan, whose evil is too often tragically present in our midst," a statement read.
"We call upon all believers and people of good will to join us in prayer for those who are involved in this event, that they may come to appreciate the gravity of their actions, and in asking Harvard to disassociate itself from this activity."
The Archdiocese has organized a holy hour on May 12 at 8 p.m. at St. Paul's Church in Cambridge to combat the black mass taking place at 8:30 p.m.
