Lesson 17

Eucharist

Two concepts come together in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: the name of Jesus and
body. In many ways, those two concepts encompass our Eucharistic doctrine in a
nutshell. We gather in Jesus’ name, at his command, to remember his Passion, Death
and Resurrection (the Paschal Mystery) and to become one with him when we receive
his body. This is a core belief of Catholic faith, but it’s often one of the most
misunderstood. The bread and wine that are consecrated become Christ’s Body and
Blood. It’s not something figurative or symbolic. The bread and wine really are changed
into Jesus himself; this is why the Church acknowledges the “Real Presence” of Christ in
the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
The Church uses philosophy to explain the change, teaching that things are made up of
“substance” and “accidents.” “Substance” is a thing in its essence and “accidents” are
what we can sense to describe the thing. For example, consider a desk. Desks come in
all different shapes, sizes and colors. They are made of different materials and for
different purposes. But there is something universal about a desk that makes it a desk,
something we can call “deskness.” Along those lines, a desk cannot be a car; just like an
envelope cannot be a pen.
With the bread and wine that are changed into Jesus at Mass, the accidents — all the
characteristics that manifest the thing to our senses (like the texture of the bread and the
taste of the wine) remain the same. They are not changed. What is changed is the
substance. The “breadness” and the “wineness” are changed into Jesus himself, into his
very Body, by the power of God.
The ripples of transformation that come from this work of the Holy Spirit are boundless.
Not only are the bread and wine changed, but we can be, too. We are members of Jesus’
Body from baptism, and we renew and strengthen this bond each time we receive the
Eucharist. This affects not only our relationship with Jesus, but with our fellow brothers
and sisters in Christ. The Eucharist makes the Church by building up the Body of Christ.
Our belief in the Real Presence best can be shared with others when we live and teach
these realities. For the Faith to take root in hearts of others, we must live as we believe
and practice as we teach.

The Eucharist is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation. The Eucharist can be received
by the laity (the people of God) once per day. The Eucharist is called the “Sacrament of
Sacraments” because we receive the greatest gift that God the Father has to offer the
world: the gift of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The best description of the
Sacrament of the Eucharist is: the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. When
we receive the Eucharist, we receive Christ Himself. Because the Eucharist is the “Real
Presence” of Jesus Christ, it is called the “Bread of Life.” In the Eucharist, we receive the
Bread of Eternal Life: the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. When we receive the
Sacrament of the Eucharist, we take Christ into our body and, at the same time, Christ
takes us into his Body. Hence the Eucharist unites us all together as the living Body of
Christ on earth. Therefore, the Eucharist is correctly referred to as the “Sacrament of
Unity.”
The Sacrament of Eucharist produces the following effects:
1. The Sacrament increases our union with Christ.
2. The Eucharist separates us from sin and keeps us from future mortal sin.
3. The Sacrament takes away venial sins.
4. The Eucharist unites us to the Church (the living Body of Christ).
5. The Sacrament decreases purgatorial debt (our time in Purgatory).
6. The Eucharist helps us care for the poor.

The Signs of the Sacrament of Eucharist are: the bread and the wine. These elements
become the Body and Blood of Christ through the priest’s prayers of consecration. The
process of the changing of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is called
“Transubstantiation.” In the Eucharist, the Word of God (Jesus Christ) is present yet it
takes the eyes of faith to see (recognize) him. The Eucharist is distributed during Mass
where we are called to gather around the table of the Lord (like at the Last Supper) and
share in the breaking of the Bread of Life (Jesus Christ).

The word “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving.” The Eucharist is the sign of the eternal
covenant with God; it is a sign of our redemption and salvation. The Sacrament of
Sacraments calls us to give thanks to God the Father for the great gift of His Son, Jesus
Christ. The more we receive the Sacrament of Eucharist the more we are able to become
like Christ, whom we consume. Therefore, the Eucharist gives us identity. Through the
Eucharist, we are “putting on Christ” (as St. Paul would say). The Eucharist allows us to
grow in our true identity as children of God.
Jesus’ miracles of the multiplication of the loaves are a foreshadowing of the Eucharist.
In each account, Jesus takes the bread, then he performs three specific actions: he
blesses it, he breaks it, and he shares it. Since we are called to be Eucharistic people,
we must be like the Eucharistic Bread: we must be Blessed, Broken, and Shared. The
Multiplication Miracles are found in all four Gospels.

How to Properly Receive the Sacrament of the Eucharistic

Please Note: You are to eat no food nor drink any beverage at least one full hour before
you receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This is known as the
“Eucharistic Fast.”
1. While in the Communion line and the person in front of you is receiving the
Eucharist, make a slight bow.
2. Step forward with your hands held out (your left hand on top of your right hand
with both palms facing up).
 3. The priest (or Eucharistic Minister) will hold up the Sacrament and say, “The Body
of Christ.” You respond, “Amen,” while the host is placed into your hands. Do not
take the host from the priest, but rather allow him to place it in your hand.
4. Take one step to the side and take the host with your right hand and place it in
your mouth. Make the sign of the cross.
If you are receiving the Precious Blood, then continue as follows (if not, then return to
your pew):
5. While in the Communion line for the Precise Blood, make a slight bow while the
person in front of you is receiving from the chalice.
6. Step forward and the Eucharistic Minister will hold up the chalice and say, “The
Blood of Christ.” You respond, “Amen.”
7. Take the chalice and take a small sip of the Precious Blood.
8. Hand the chalice back to the Eucharistic Minister and return to your pew.

Questions about the Eucharist

The Definition of the Sacrament of Eucharist
Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe
in the Real Presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and
Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

What is the Eucharist?

The Eucharist is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus which he instituted to
perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until his return in glory. Thus he
entrusted to his Church this memorial of his Death and Resurrection. It is a sign of unity,
a bond of charity, a paschal banquet, in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with
grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.

When did Jesus Christ institute the Eucharist?

Jesus instituted the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, as he celebrated the Last Supper with
his apostles.

How did Jesus institute the Eucharist?

After Jesus had gathered with his apostles, he took bread in his hands. He broke it and
gave it to them saying, “Take this and eat it, all of you; this is my Body which will be given
up for you”. Then, he took the cup of wine in his hands and said, “Take this and drink of
this, all of you. This is the cup of my Blood, the Blood of the new and everlasting covenant.
It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgive. Do this in memory of me”.
What does the Eucharist represent in the life of the Church?
It is the source and summit of all Christian life. In the Eucharist, the sanctifying action of
God in our regard and our worship of Him reach their high point. The Eucharist contains
the whole spiritual good of the Church, Christ himself. Communion with Divine Life and
the unity of the People of God are both expressed and effected by the Eucharist. Through
the Eucharistic Celebration of the Mass we are united already with the liturgy of heaven
and we have a foretaste of eternal life.

Where does the Eucharist fit in the Divine plan of salvation?

The Eucharist was foreshadowed in the Old Testament in the annual Passover meal
celebrated by the Jews with unleavened bread to commemorate their exodus from slavery
in Egypt. Jesus foretold it in his teaching and he instituted it when he celebrated the Last
Supper with his apostles. The Church, faithful to the command of her Lord, “Do this in
memory of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24), has always celebrated the Eucharist, especially on
Sunday, the day of the Resurrection of Jesus.

How is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist carried out?

The Eucharist unfolds in two great parts which together form one, single act of worship.
The Liturgy of the Word involves proclaiming and listening to the Word of God. The Liturgy
of the Eucharist includes the presentation of the bread and wine, the prayer of
consecration, and communion.

In what way is the Eucharist a memorial of the sacrifice of Christ?

The Eucharist is a memorial in the sense that it makes present and actual the sacrifice
which Christ offered to the Father on the cross, once and for all on behalf of mankind.
The sacrificial character of the Holy Eucharist is manifested in the very words of institution,
“This is my Body which is given for you” and “This cup is the New Covenant in my Blood
that will be shed for you” (Luke 22:19-20). The sacrifice of the cross and the sacrifice of
the Eucharist are one and the same sacrifice. The priest and the victim are the same;
only the manner of offering is different: in a bloody manner on the cross, in an unbloody
manner in the Eucharist.

How is Christ present in the Eucharist?

Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique and incomparable way. He is present
in a true, real and substantial way, with his Body and his Blood, with his Soul and his
Divinity. In the Eucharist, therefore, there is present in a sacramental way, that is, under
the Eucharistic species of bread and wine, Christ whole and entire, God and Man.

Does the breaking of the bread divide Christ?

The breaking of the bread does not divide Christ. He is present whole and entire in each
of the eucharistic species and in each of their parts.

How long does the presence of Christ last in the Eucharist?

The presence of Christ continues in the Eucharist as long as the eucharistic species
subsist.

When does the Church oblige her members to participate at Holy Mass?
The Church obliges the faithful to participate at Holy Mass every Sunday and on holy
days of obligation. She recommends participation at Holy Mass on other days as well.

When must one receive Holy Communion?

The Church recommends that the faithful, if they have the required dispositions, receive
Holy Communion whenever they participate at Holy Mass. However, the Church obliges
them to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season.
What is required to receive Holy Communion?
To receive Holy Communion one must be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church and
be in the state of grace, that is, not conscious of being in mortal sin. Anyone who is
conscious of having committed a grave sin must first receive the sacrament of
Reconciliation before going to Communion. Also important for those receiving Holy
Communion are a spirit of recollection and prayer, observance of the fast prescribed by
the Church, and an appropriate disposition of the body (gestures and dress) as a sign of
respect for Christ.

What are the fruits of Holy Communion?

Holy Communion increases our union with Christ and with his Church. It preserves and
renews the life of grace received at Baptism and Confirmation and makes us grow in love
for our neighbor. It strengthens us in charity, wipes away venial sins and preserves us
from mortal sin in the future.

Why is the Eucharist a “pledge of future glory”?

The Eucharist is a pledge of future glory because it fills us with every grace and heavenly
blessing. It fortifies us for our pilgrimage in this life and makes us long for eternal life. It
unites us already to Christ seated at the right hand of the Father, to the Church in heaven
and to the Blessed Virgin and all the saints.