The Sacrament of Eucharist
The Eucharist (from the Greek for ‘Thanksgiving’), which may also called Holy Communion, the Mass, the Lord's Supper or the Divine Liturgy, is the central Sacrament of the Catholic Church to which ‘….all the other Sacraments are ordered…(or point towards. CCC. 1211)’. It is shared, to an extent, with other Christian denominations, though in a symbolic role only.
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Christians don't say that they 'do' or 'carry out' the Eucharist; they both offer and celebrate it. In the Catholic Church, the Priest offering the Mass may be referred to as the Celebrant. Should a Priest not be available, as in a remote Parish served on occasion from a city church, but if there are consecrated Hosts in the Tabernacle, a Deacon or Extraordinary Minster of Holy Communion, although they cannot say Mass and, therefore, consecrate bread and wine, may be permitted to lead a Service and distribute Communion to the Faithful present. Communion can sometimes be, in this way, taken to sick and housebound Parishioners.
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The Eucharist is a re-presentation (as opposed to representation) of the Last Supper, which Jesus Christ shared with His Disciples before his arrest, and also (although He does not suffer again) of His agonising Sacrifice on the Cross (CCC 1366 & 1367). At the Last Supper Jesus took bread and wine, changed it into Himself, i.e. His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, and instructed his disciples, the first Priests, to do the same ever after in memory of Him. It is vital that, in emphasising the Celebratory nature of the Mass, its essential Sacrificial nature is not ‘played down’ or even ignored. A faithful Catholic will, like their Master, encounter anything from indifference to hostility and opposition when proclaiming the Truth. We are all charged with Evangelisation. To be truly Ecumenical means to speak the Truth, ‘…in season and out of season…’, ever recalling that, even when Our Lord preached about this truth, some of His hearers, ‘…walked with Him no more…’
The Faithful taking part in the Mass receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion. (CCC. 1376-1377).
We believe that what appears to our senses (i.e. sight, touch, smell and taste) as bread and wine is, following the Consecration, become the actual Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Risen Lord. We believe that although the bread and wine outwardly appear unchanged they have been miraculously transformed beyond our limited human understanding into Jesus Himself. This change is called Transubstantiation (from the Latin for ‘change of substance’). The institution of this Sacrament is celebrated on Maundy Thursday as the Last Supper took place during Lent and, later, with greater ceremony on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
All Catholics in the State of Grace are encouraged to receive Communion at least once a week, i.e. at Sunday Mass. Some may receive the Eucharist at Mass every day. Cf. Also the Sacrament of the Sick.
The Faithful taking part in the Mass receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion. (CCC. 1376-1377).
We believe that what appears to our senses (i.e. sight, touch, smell and taste) as bread and wine is, following the Consecration, become the actual Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Risen Lord. We believe that although the bread and wine outwardly appear unchanged they have been miraculously transformed beyond our limited human understanding into Jesus Himself. This change is called Transubstantiation (from the Latin for ‘change of substance’). The institution of this Sacrament is celebrated on Maundy Thursday as the Last Supper took place during Lent and, later, with greater ceremony on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
All Catholics in the State of Grace are encouraged to receive Communion at least once a week, i.e. at Sunday Mass. Some may receive the Eucharist at Mass every day. Cf. Also the Sacrament of the Sick.
