What is the Eucharist?
The Sacrament of Communion is a Holy Sacrament by which the believer eats the Holy Body and drinks the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, presented by the Bread and Wine.
The Minister of the Eucharist
Only a priest or bishop may consecrate bread and wine to become the Eucharist but deacons, priests, and bishops are also the Ordinary Ministers of distributing Holy Communion
Lay people may be trained to be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to assist at Mass and bring the Eucharist to the homebound.
Lay people may be trained to be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to assist at Mass and bring the Eucharist to the homebound.
How can one prepare to receive the Eucharist?
Pray as well as fast
Fasting at least one hour before receiving the Eucharist is required by the law of the Church
Fasting at least one hour before receiving the Eucharist is required by the law of the Church
How often can the Eucharist be received?
Minimum requirement:
At least once a year and during the Easter season |
Maximum limit:
No more than one time per day, with some exceptions; receiving at two different celebrations |
Who can receive the Eucharist?
Catholics must be in a state of grace ( not guilty of any mortal/serious sins since their last Reconciliation or their Baptism)
Non-Catholics cannot receive the Eucharist because it is a sign of the faithful's communion with each other, the Church, and Christ
*Orthodox Christians may receive the Eucharist in special circumstances with special permission*
Non-Catholics cannot receive the Eucharist because it is a sign of the faithful's communion with each other, the Church, and Christ
*Orthodox Christians may receive the Eucharist in special circumstances with special permission*
The Form
The priest/ bishop says:
"Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is my body which will be given up for you."
"Take this, all of you, and drink of it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant. Which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins."
"Do this in memory of me"
"Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is my body which will be given up for you."
"Take this, all of you, and drink of it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant. Which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins."
"Do this in memory of me"
The Matter
The primary matter is the bread and wine
Bread made from wheat and water, wine made from grapes
Bread and wine are the only matter of this sacrament (no other elements pertain to this sacrament)
Bread made from wheat and water, wine made from grapes
Bread and wine are the only matter of this sacrament (no other elements pertain to this sacrament)
The Rite
Liturgy of the Word:
The Liturgy of the Word is the first half of a Catholic Mass. During this, we read from the Hebrew Scriptures ( Old Testament), a Psalm, an Epistle from the Christian Scriptures, sing ALLELUIA, and the priest or Deacon reads from a Gospel.
Then the priest or deacon gives a homily ( NOT a sermon) based on the readings of the day, and presents them in form that everyone present can relate to. After the homily, we recite the Nicene Creed. That ends the Liturgy of the Word, then the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offering of bread and wine at the altar. Bread and wine which will become the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Liturgy of the Eucharist:
The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the gifts on the altar. As the ministers prepare the altar, representatives of the people bring forward the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The celebrant blesses and praises God for these gifts and places them on the altar, the place of the Eucharistic sacrifice. In addition to the bread and wine, monetary gifts for the support of the Church and the care of the poor may be brought forward. The Prayer over the Offerings concludes this preparation and disposes all for the Eucharistic Prayer.
The Liturgy of the Word is the first half of a Catholic Mass. During this, we read from the Hebrew Scriptures ( Old Testament), a Psalm, an Epistle from the Christian Scriptures, sing ALLELUIA, and the priest or Deacon reads from a Gospel.
Then the priest or deacon gives a homily ( NOT a sermon) based on the readings of the day, and presents them in form that everyone present can relate to. After the homily, we recite the Nicene Creed. That ends the Liturgy of the Word, then the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offering of bread and wine at the altar. Bread and wine which will become the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Liturgy of the Eucharist:
The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the gifts on the altar. As the ministers prepare the altar, representatives of the people bring forward the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The celebrant blesses and praises God for these gifts and places them on the altar, the place of the Eucharistic sacrifice. In addition to the bread and wine, monetary gifts for the support of the Church and the care of the poor may be brought forward. The Prayer over the Offerings concludes this preparation and disposes all for the Eucharistic Prayer.
The effects of the Eucharist
- Intimate union with Christ
- Receiving Christ's flesh and blood
- Nourishment of spiritual life
- Medicine of grace
- Separates us from sin
- Removes venial (minor) sins
- Gives us spiritual strength
- Unites us to the Body of Christ and the Church
My First Holy Communion
Adoration
Adoration is the the practice of worshiping our Lord in the Eucharist outside the context of mass. The Host is placed in a monstrance for the faithful to adore. The practice of Adoration traces its roots back to the early Church when the Eucharist became the center of life in monasteries and convents: One of the first references to Adoration is found in the life of St. Basil (who died in 379 AD). The Franciscan archives show that St. Francis of Assisi (who died in 1226) started this devotion in Italy. The lay practice of Adoration was firmly established in Avignon, France on September 11, 1226. Nightly Adoration began in 1849 and spread throughout France. Since 1878, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have been praying nonstop and they continue to this date.
When Adoration is offered
At Kellenberg, Adoration is offered on the first Friday of every month. The Eucharist is placed in a monstrance and put on the alter in the chapel for students to come and worship during the day.
At my parish in Merrick (Cure of Ars) the times when adoration is available are:
Monday 10 am - Friday 10 am
First Friday after 9 am Mass - 1 pm & 8 pm - 9 pm
Saturday- 4 pm - 4:45 pm
At my parish in Merrick (Cure of Ars) the times when adoration is available are:
Monday 10 am - Friday 10 am
First Friday after 9 am Mass - 1 pm & 8 pm - 9 pm
Saturday- 4 pm - 4:45 pm
Eucharistic Miracles
In the Church's History there has been various different miracles. One Eucharistic Miracle in particular was the Eucharistic Miracle in Buenos Aires. On August 18, 1996, Fr. Alejandro Pezet was saying Holy Mass at a Catholic church in the commercial center of Buenos Aires. As he was finishing distributing Holy Communion, a woman came up to tell him that she had found a discarded host on a candleholder at the back of the church. On going to the spot indicated, Fr. Alejandro saw the Host. Since he was unable to consume it, he placed it in a container of water and put it away in the tabernacle of the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. On Monday, August 26, upon opening the tabernacle, he saw to his amazement that the Host had turned into a bloody substance. He informed Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who gave instructions that the Host be professionally photographed. The photos were taken on September 6 and clearly show that the Host, which had become a fragment of bloodied flesh, had grown significantly in size. For several years the Host remained in the tabernacle, the whole affair being kept a strict secret. Since the Host suffered no visible decomposition, Cardinal Bergoglio decided to have it scientifically analyzed.