Lesson 19

Sacrament of Holy Eucharist

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) is the Source and Summit of the Catholic Faith.[1] By name, this sacrament is equally referred to as Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion. It is also known as the Sacrament of the Mass.

Since the days of the Apostles, the Catholic Church has consistently believed and taught the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist (which is the small bread wafer referred to as the ‘Host’). The sacrament of Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) having the real presence of Christ as the sacrifice for all mankind has been the center of worship from the Church’s beginning. We find evidence of this both in scripture and in sacred tradition which includes writings from the first four centuries of Christianity.

Evidence on First accounts

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist finds its primary Biblical source in the story of the ‘Last Supper.’[2] To provide context it is beneficial to look in two areas; what led up to the Last Supper and to see what the apostles taught afterwards. First, we look at what the Apostles were teaching after Jesus returned to heaven:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, 24 and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor 11:23-25 )

Of the Holiness of Communion St. Paul goes on to say:

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. 28 A person should examine himself,* and so eat the bread and drink the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. (1 Cor 11:27-29 )

Additional first century evidence outside of Scripture exists in the document referred to as the Didache (Did – ah – kay) or the Teaching of the Apostles[3]. In 1873, Bryennios, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Nicomedia, discovered a complete manuscript of this document on religious instructions that has been said to have been written at or around 60-80AD. In this book there contains chapters which refers to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and aspects of the Holy Mass.

An additional source outside of scripture comes from St. Justin Martyr (165 AD), who wrote a letter of protest to the Roman rulers and senate against the cruelties being suffered by the Christians. In His letter he has these words:

“We do not receive these as ordinary food or ordinary drink; but as by the Word of God, Jesus our Savior was made flesh, and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so also the food over which thanks have been given by the word of prayer instituted by Him ….. is, we are taught, both flesh and blood of that Jesus incarnate.”

Christians from the very beginning have held the belief, Jesus instituted the sacrament at the time of the Last Supper. In the New Testament you will find where Jesus is in the upper room with His apostles at the time of Passover. This particular Passover meal is referred to as the “Last Supper” because this is the eve before His crucifixion. It is here Jesus institutes the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

To have a better understanding it is important to go through the passages about the Last Supper(Matthew 26:17 and Luke 22:7-38). The Last Supper with Jesus and the Apostles is found in the Gospel according to Matthew chapter 26.[4] It is critical to note, prior to the Last Supper, in the Gospel according to John Chapter 6[5] where Jesus is referring to Himself as the Bread of Life.

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[1] CCC 1324The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life.""The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."

[2] Matthew 26:17-30 and Luke 22:7-38

[3]The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd rev. ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p.482. ISBN978-0192802903.

[4] [Mathew 26:26-29] 26 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.”27 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.”

[5] [John 6:48-58] 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;50 this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Remember, What a Sacrament is?

Recall: “A sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace.”[1] A longer answer as well as older response is; “A sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace, ordained by Jesus Christ, by which grace is given to our souls.”[2]

Sacraments allow you to encounter Christ in a very real and at the same time sacred way. These encounters with Christ allow you to be presented with the abundance of His grace. Sacraments are Christ's own gift to you. These gifts are the divine help which God gives you to enable you to:

Believe the truths of His faith
Live according to His moral code
Grow in His gift of divine life

In your humanity, you are confined to material matter. The sacraments use material substance (outward appearances) to substantiate what occurs spiritually concerning the deposit of grace given in the particular sacrament. The sacraments were not invented by man but provided by Jesus himself as an ongoing fountain of sanctifying grace. It is this grace which sustains us during our life here on earth. Receiving this grace is to have an experience with God.

In the case of the sacrament of Holy Communion, through the power of God, the bread and wine offered at the alter truly become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is the presences of the sacrificed Jesus in the appearance of bread and wine. It His Presence in the Eucharist which is worshiped.

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[1]Sacraments, outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification (Catechismus concil. Trident., II, n. 4, ex S. August "De catechizandis rudibus")

[2]BALTIMORE CATECHISM #3 LESSON 13 - On the Sacraments in General: Question #574

The Sacrifice of the Mass

Since the time of the Apostles, the celebration of the Mass has been the primary act of worship for Christians. As such it is central and absolutely necessary as a source for sanctifying grace to all believers and is ordained by Christ Himself to nourish the life of the Church. As such, the mass is instituted by Jesus Christ and what he commanded at the Last Supper. His sanctifying action by His death on the cross which soon followed after the last supper is what provides the significance of His presence in the bread and wine.

Christ at the last supper said “this IS MY BODY and this IS MY BLOOD.” He was not speaking in metaphors. Therefore the eucharist at the mass is not a symbol of Jesus Christ’s presence. It is at the mass where you are joined to Christ.

The bread offered is referred to as the "Eucharist" which means "Thanksgiving." Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. It is He alone who merited redemption and salvation for all mankind. He is your bridge and only way into heaven. Therefore, you need to be gracious and thankful. It is in this sacrament where you take the opportunity to receive what he has done and thank him.

The Mass is referred to as a celebration. In it, the church recalls that Christ freed you from the bondage of sin. The celebration is not done apart from Christ, but instead it is done with Christ, in Christ and because of Christ.

Since the time of Adam and into Jewish times up until the first century, animal (Lamb) sacrifices were made to atone for man’s short falls. These were not fully suitable and were only shadows of the supreme sacrifice that was to come in the person of Jesus Christ. Ordained sacraments of the Old Testament foreshadowed the way God would accomplish through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice paid the debt and now no other sacrifice is needed.

The Mass is referred to as “The Sacrifice of the Mass or the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” This is a deliberate inference to Jesus, ‘the Lamb of God,’ who was slain. That lamb of course is Jesus Himself who died on the cross of us. As a man Jesus was slain but as God, he was eternal and therefore Jesus the man-god could pay the eternal debt resulting from the sin of Adam. This payment would go into man’s past generations as well as future generations.

The Holy Sacrifice of the mass, the offering of bread and wine during the liturgy of the Eucharist in the mass, provides the exact same sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. How is this so? You may ask! You must remember, as scripture says, “ for nothing is impossible for God.” At the Holy Mass, when the priest elevates the bread and wine, this is known as the ”Consecration.” At that moment you actually made present at the same moment Jesus died.

To begin with, any explanation attempted is to approach a great mystery. Know this for sure, the mass is not a “re-sacrifice” of Jesus on the cross. It is the exact same sacrifice. How is it the same sacrifice? It was pointed out; Adam’s sin incurred an eternal debt. None of which any man could pay. However, the debt could only be paid by Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross. This sacrifice was eternal. That means it goes back in time past Adam into eternity and forward in time into eternity[1].

The eternal aspect of Jesus’ sacrifice means several things. First; when Jesus died on the cross, in His divinity, He submitted to this sacrificial act with love which knows no bounds. Second, He did it for all those who lived in the past. Third, He also did it for those who were yet to be born. He had you in mind even before you were born! Finally, when the priest offers up the bread and wine on the altar during mass, the entire community present are at the foot of the cross at Calvary. Perhaps this image helps; It is as if those present at the mass are instantly but momentarily transported back into time.

Some non-Catholics incorrectly maintain the Catholic Mass offers Jesus Christ over and over. This is absolutely false. All they need to do is look at Catholic teachings to know that what they falsely claim about the Catholic mass is misleading. The Catholic Church teaches that Christ died “Once” and for all.

The Catholic Mass reminds the world of the perpetual and eternal grace which flows from Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross. To begin to grasp this is to yield to a love which is so complete you can find it nowhere else. Jesus loved mankind so much that the richness of His sacrifice pours throughout time eternal. He did this for the sake of all mankind.

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[1] I use the word “time” just to grasp an elemental aspect of the truth. God’s grace is not necessarily subject to space and time. This is especially true of the grace Jesus affords mankind in His sacrifice on the cross.

Four Points to Know When Receiving Holy Communion.

1.) Fast Before receiving the Holy Eucharist

There is a rule that each person expecting to receive Holy Communion, will fast for at least one (1) hour before mass. Those who elderly or have medical conditions may be exempt from this rule.

2.) Bow Before receiving the Holy Eucharist

Bow or Genuflect (Kneel at the alter rail when a church provides this) as a sign of reverence before receiving the Holy Eucharist. We do this because we are face-face with Christ at that moment, coming to receive his flesh and blood.

3.) Say “amen” before Receiving the Holy Eucharist

Priest administering the Eucharist will say “Body of Christ” the communicant responds with “Amen” before receiving the Holy Eucharist. Saying “Amen” means you fully acknowledge and believe in the Holy Eucharist. This is a clear sign of faith and indicates to the priest you know you are receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

4.) Be in a State of Grace

Receiving Holy Communion is meant only for Practicing Catholics who are in a state of grace (no Mortal Sins). To Be in a State of Grace before receiving the Holy Communion means being without a mortal sin since your last confession. If you are not in the “State of grace” you need to go for confession before receiving the Holy Eucharist, but you can still attend a Holy Mass.

My First Holy Communion

As a catechumen/elect in RCIA you are made ready to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion which will be your First Holy Communion. First Holy Communion for the elect normally occurs at the Easter Vigil, which is late Saturday evening before Easter Sunday. This is the general norm. There can be special circumstances which dictate another time and/or place. The exceptions to the day in which an individual elect may receive their First Holy Communion will be worked out by the RCIA team and or the Priest in advanced. Unexpected circumstances or emergencies on your part should be communicated to the RCIA team as soon as possible (ASAP).[1]

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[1] Procrastinating on duly stated and communicated prerequisites may not and probably will not constitute as an unexpected emergency. An emergency would be an accident, grave illness or overwhelming family obligation (Someone’s life or subsistence is dependent on you).

How do I Receive Holy Communion?

During mass, an usher usually signals each pew (Church bench) for those wishing to go forward to Holy Communion. During the Vigil mass the elect individually, will be signaled by an assigned usher or Master of Ceremony (MC) or may be called by name. At the Easter Vigil, generally the elect receives their first Holy Communion before the rest of the community.

The communicant (You as the person receiving Holy Communion) processes forward. When you come before the priest or assigned eucharistic minister, you bow reverently. Then both hands are lifted with palms facing upwards so that the left palm is exposed, and the right palm is underneath the left palm.

The priest or assigned eucharistic minister will say; “The Body of Christ.” You as the communicant responds; “Amen.” Then the host is placed onto the open left palm. As the communicant, while standing in front of the priest or assigned eucharistic minister, you take your right hand, pick up the host, and place it into your mouth.

Communicant: Process to where the communion is being offered.

Communicant: Bow

Priest: “Body of Christ”

Communicant: “Amen” [ Receive the Host into your mouth and consume.

When receiving in the hand, hold you left palm up and place your right-hand underneath. When the Host is received, pick it up with the right hand and consume. ]

In moments when the precious blood is provided. You will move to the priest or assigned eucharistic minister holding the chalice. Once there, you will bow. The priest or assigned eucharistic minister will say; “The Blood of Christ.” You respond with, “Amen.” Grasp the chalice and gently pull it from the hands of the assigned minister. You then take a sip from the chalice, then return the chalice to the assigned minister, making sure they have a firm grip before letting go.

Communicant: Move to the Chalice

Communicant: Bow

Priest: “Blood of Christ”

Communicant: “Amen” [Sip from the Chalice and consume.]

Communicant: Returns to the pew and kneel in prayer.

Essential Questions

The reference to the sacrifice of the Mass, points to same sacrifice on the cross. It does not mean that Jesus is sacrificed over and over in a perpetual sense nor does the church teach this! The gift which comes from the Sacrifice on the Cross is not bound by time. Jesus looked across all ages and His sacrifice was for everyone. Each mass across the ages is a sharing in the exact same sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

1. What is the Holy Eucharist?

The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament and the sacrifice under the appearances of bread (a wafer) and wine, the Lord Jesus Christ is contained, offered, and received.[1]Catholics believe they receive Christ fully sacrificed. He was sacrificed for all mankind in all ages. It is the exact same sacrifice of His coming and crucifixion which is received.

The whole Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist. The words "really, truly, and substantially" are used to describe Christ's presence in the Holy Eucharist in order to distinguish between Our Lord's teaching, and that of mere men who falsely teach that the Holy Eucharist is only a sign or figuratively Christ, or that He is present only by His power.

All Christians, with but few minor exceptions, held the true doctrine of the Real Presence from the time of Christ[2] until the Protestant Revolt in the 16th century.

Critics have stated that we as Catholics offer Jesus as the Re-sacrifice over and over. NOT TRUE!! Each Mass is a sharing in the same sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus being God looked across all space and time and was not subject to it.[3]Catholics believe, when he died on the cross it was for all sins; past, present and future. "Christ having risen from the dead, dies now no more" (Romans 6:9).

Jesus sacrifice on the cross is grace freely given for all mankind and it occurs within all space and time only for the sake of humanity. But its merits are not bound by the limitations of space at time.

Jesus death was a most Holy act. The Catholic sacrament of Holy Eucharist is the very same sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. By the mystery of the power of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross almost two thousand years ago is made present to us at that moment. It as if we are briefly transported back in time to that same moment. Some critics say this is impossible. Impossible for man yes, but nothing is impossible for GOD!! God is not bound by space and time. The things He ordains and does for our sake, are not constrained by space and time.

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[1][1 Corinthians 10:16] The cup (chalice) 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?

[2] [CCC 1342]From the beginning the Church has been faithful to the Lord's command. Of the Church of Jerusalem, it is written: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. . . . . Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts (Acts 2:42,46)

[3][Ephesians 1:19-21] and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might,r20which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,s21far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.

The Greek word “eucharistein” means “to give thanks”.

Eulogein is the Greek for the Hebrew “Baruck” which means blessing or blessed.

2. What does the word “Eucharist” mean?

The word "Eucharist" means "Thanksgiving."[1] Since Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, he alone merited redemption and salvation for all mankind. He is our bridge and only way into heaven. Therefore, we need to be gracious and thankful. It is in this sacrament where we take the opportunity to receive what he has done and thank him.

3. Why is it also called "the Blessed Sacrament"?

This is an inference of reverence because it is the most blessed of all the Sacraments since it is Jesus Christ Himself. It is also referred to as Holy Communion because we unite ourselves in union with Christ and the whole body of saints (the Body of Christ).[2]

4. When did Jesus institute the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist?

Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, on the night before He died. In the Gospel according to Matthew,[3] we read about the Last Supper Jesus has with the Apostles. Historically, Christians from the beginning have always taken this as being the sacrament Jesus ordained.[4]

[1] [ CCC 1328] The inexhaustible richness of this sacrament is expressed in the different names we give it. Each name evokes certain aspects of it. It is called: Eucharist, because it is an action of thanksgiving to God. The Greek words eucharistein and eulogein recall the Jewish blessings that proclaim - especially during a meal - God's works: creation, redemption, and sanctification.

[2][CCC 1331] Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body. We also call it: the holy things (ta hagia; sancta) - the first meaning of the phrase "communion of saints" in the Apostles' Creed -the bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality, viaticum. . .

[3] [Mathew 26:26-29] 26 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.”27 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.”

[4][CCC 1337] The Lord, having loved those who were his own, loved them to the end. Knowing that the hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father, in the course of a meal he washed their feet and gave them the commandment of love.163 In order to leave them a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover, he instituted the Eucharist as the memorial of his death and Resurrection, and commanded his apostles to celebrate it until his return; "thereby he constituted them priests of the New Testament."

The entire substance of the bread and wine are changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus; thus, the bread and wine no longer exist. This change is called Transubstantiation.

5. What happened when Our Lord said: "This is My body . . . this is My blood"?

When Our Lord said, "This is My body," the entire substance of the bread was changed into His body; and when He said, "This is My blood," the entire substance of the wine was changed into His blood.

Christ could not have used clearer, more explicit words than "This is My body." Jesus was not speaking in riddles or symbolic language. Jesus did not say, "This is a sign of My body," or "This represents My body," but, "This IS My body." Catholics take Christ at His word because He is the omnipotent (all-powerful) God and at this point he is not speaking in symbols. On His word we know that the Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ.

6. Did the bread and wine change their appearance?

No. As then so it happens now, the appearances of the bread and wine (taste, smell, color, size, shape, weight) do not change. Even though the bread and wine were changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus they remained in their appearance as bread and wine.

Because the appearances of bread and wine remain in the Holy Eucharist, we cannot see Christ with our bodily eyes in this sacrament. We do see Him, however, with the eyes of faith. Our bodily eyes, moreover, do not deceive us when they see the appearances of bread and wine for these appearances really remain after the Consecration of the Mass.

7. What is the change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ called?

The change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ is called Transubstantiation.

8. Is Jesus Christ whole and entire both under the appearances of bread and under the appearances of wine?

Jesus Christ is whole and entire, both under the appearances of bread and under the appearances of wine.[1]

Christ is whole and entire under both appearances because, "Christ having risen from the dead, dies now no more" (Romans 6:9). Because Christ cannot die, His blood must remain united always to His body, and His soul to both. The divinity of Christ always remains united to His body and blood and soul because He is God made man.

The whole Christ is present under each part of the sacred appearances and remains present as long as the sacred appearances remain.

[1][CCC 1333]At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood. Faithful to the Lord's command the Church continues to do, in his memory and until his glorious return, what he did on the eve of his Passion: "He took bread. . . .” "He took the cup filled with wine. . . ." The signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding, the Body and Blood of Christ; they continue also to signify the goodness of creation. Thus in the Offertory we give thanks to the Creator for bread and wine, fruit of the "work of human hands," but above all as "fruit of the earth" and "of the vine" - gifts of the Creator. The Church sees in the gesture of the king-priest Melchizedek, who "brought out bread and wine," a prefiguring of her own offering.

Only ordained priests have the power of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. When they consecrate, they act in the person of Christ, through the power received in the sacrament of Holy Orders.

9. Did Jesus give anyone the power of changing bread and wine into His body and Blood?

Yes, to His twelve Apostles at the Last Supper, when He told them, ”…do this in memory of me.”(Luke 22:19)[1]

10. Did Jesus ordain that His Apostles hand this power down to others?

Yes, because He wanted all men to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood.

53Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. (John 6:53) (In this passage the word, "Life" means Sanctifying Grace.)

11. Does this change of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ continue to be made in the Church?

This change of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ continues to be made in the Church by Jesus Christ, through the ministry of His priests.

12. Why does Christ give us His own body and blood in the Holy Eucharist?

Christ gives us His own body and blood in the Holy Eucharist: first, to be offered as a sacrifice commemorating[2] and renewing for all time the sacrifice of the cross; second, to be received by the faithful in Holy Communion; third, to remain ever on our altars as the proof of His love for us, and to be worshipped by us.

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[1][CCC 1341]The command of Jesus to repeat his actions and words "until he comes" does not only ask us to remember Jesus and what he did. It is directed at the liturgical celebration, by the apostles and their successors, of the memorial of Christ, of his life, of his death, of his Resurrection, and of his intercession in the presence of the Father.

[2][CCC 1345]As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161AD) around the year 155AD, explaining what Christians did:

On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . . and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.

(St. Justin,Apol.1, 65-67: PG 6, 428-429; the text before the asterisk (*) is from chap. 67)

13. When does the priest change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ?

During the Eucharistic liturgy on the Holy Mass, when he says, "This is My Body," and "This is the chalice of My Blood..."

14. Where is the Blessed Sacrament kept?

The blessed sacrament is kept in the tabernacle, which is a little box or case (actually a safe) which is kept on the altar.

"And my tabernacle shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Ezekiel 37:27)

15. What does the unconsecrated communion wafer consist of?

The unconsecrated communion wafer consists basically of bread and water. It has no yeast and is a simple form of unleavened bread.

The Source and Summit of Faith

Since God the Father sent Jesus as the complete sacrifice for humanity, the Catholic acknowledges that it is Jesus Christ who is the source of the Church’s whole apostolate. The whole Apostolate being the ordained and the laity benefit by bringing forth the fruit which itself can only come forth from Jesus as sacrificed. For the Apostolate to be fruitful means there must be a constant and clear union with Christ.[1] It is from His fountain of grace from the sacraments where the Church sustains itself.

Therefore, the Eucharist is said to be the “source and summit of the Christian life.”[2]It is through this sacrament the Christian can be provide the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ.[3] It is what the Christian is called to do!

CCC 1327:In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: “Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.”

Points to Consider

What does Holy Communion do for your soul?

The sacrament of Holy Communion when received, makes the Sanctifying Grace (“…life within you..”) in your soul grow.

53Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. (John 6:53)

What else does Communion do for you?

i. Communion unites you with Jesus.

56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.(John 6:56)

ii. It is food for your soul, to help you love God and obey His laws.

"Give us this day our daily bread." (Luke 11:3)

iii. It is a promise of your resurrection and future glory in Heaven.

“54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”(John 6:54)

iv. Communion weakens your sinful inclinations.

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[1][CCC 864] “Christ, sent by the Father, is the source of the Church’s whole apostolate”; thus the fruitfulness of apostolate for ordained ministers as well as for lay people clearly depends on their vital union with Christ. In keeping with their vocations, the demands of the times and the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostolate assumes the most varied forms. But charity, drawn from the Eucharist above all, is always “as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate.

[2][CCC 1324]The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.”

[3][CCC 1325]“The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit.”

More Items to Know

1. Ordinarily, you receive communion during Mass. However, the priest may bring you Communion when you are sick at home or in the hospital.

2. Communion is called Viaticum when received by a person who is in danger of death.

3. After receiving Communion, you should spend some time praying to Our Lord, adoring Him, thanking Him, loving Him, and asking His help.

4. You are not forbidden to receive Communion with venial sins on your soul, but you are advised to recite the Confiteor or the Act of Contrition before receiving.

Self-reflection:

When it comes time for me to receive Holy Communion, I am in effect holding Jesus in my hands. Though I am not and can never be worthy; Jesus allows it. The same Jesus who is God; the same God who made all creation with nearly countless amazing creatures, our solar system, countless galaxies with billions of atomic furnaces called ‘Suns’ allows me to draw so close to Him and hold Him. I should be humbled. For one of those galactic suns alone would consume me and yet; I get to hold Jesus in my hands, the one who created them. I must be forever grateful that God would send His son Jesus to offer man to be reunited with Him, as well as be in constant awe with reverence towards God.

Holy Communion is the same sacrifice which is offered to man for His Salvation.

Answer the Questions:

1. What is a Sacrament?

2.) What does a Sacrament do?

3.) What is the Holy Eucharist?

4.) What other names is the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist known by?

a.) Sanctifying Bread

b.) Holy Communion

c.) Blessed sacrament

d.) Holy Orders

e.) The Last Supper

5.) What is Sanctifying Grace?

6.) What does Holy Communion do for your soul?

7.) What are the four points I should know when receiving Holy Communion?

8.) What are the three sacraments of initiation?

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