Is the bread only a symbol?
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In short: Catholics say no. At the consecration the whole substance of the bread becomes Christ’s body, and the wine His blood. It still looks like bread. It isn’t. CCC 1376
The answer, in writing
The Council of Trent taught that by the consecration there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of Christ’s Body, and of the wine into His Blood. CCC 1376
Christ’s presence begins at the consecration and lasts as long as the Eucharistic species remain. CCC 1377
He is present whole and entire in each part, so breaking the bread doesn’t divide Him. CCC 1377
It still looks, tastes and feels like bread. Catholics believe it isn’t anymore. That’s the whole point of the word “transubstantiation.”
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