Sacrament of the Eucharist “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

Overview This chapter explores the sacrament of the Eucharist as the completion of the Sacrament of Initiation and the source and summit of the Christian life. The newly baptized Christians join with the community of the faithful at the table of the Lord. The Body of Christ. Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper. There, Jesus took bread and wine, blessed it, and it was his body and blood. The disciples were commanded to “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24) There are many names Christians have used throughout our Tradition to help explore and understand the meaning of this sacrament. The rite of the Eucharist includes two main parts – the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist: The Source and Summit of the Life of the Church The Institution of the Eucharist - took place at the Last Supper. Jesus took bread and wine and said it was his body and blood to eat and drink. He commanded the disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me”.The Institution of the Eucharist - took place at the Last Supper. Jesus took bread and wine and said it was his body and blood to eat and drink. He commanded the disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me”. This memorial meal of the Lord’s Passover, of his passion and resurrection, is at the center of the Church’s life.This memorial meal of the Lord’s Passover, of his passion and resurrection, is at the center of the Church’s life. By this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the church. CCC. 1407By this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the church. CCC. 1407

There are many names Christians have used throughout our tradition to help understand the meaning of the sacrament:There are many names Christians have used throughout our tradition to help understand the meaning of the sacrament: * The Lord’s Supper: points out the connection between the Eucharist and the Last Supper. * The Lord’s Supper: points out the connection between the Eucharist and the Last Supper. * Breaking of the Bread: was used by the first Christian to profess the belief “We are and form the one Body of Christ.” * Breaking of the Bread: was used by the first Christian to profess the belief “We are and form the one Body of Christ.” * Synaxis: “gathered assembly”, the whole church, the Body of Christ, Head and members, join as one in blessing and giving thanks to the Father. * Synaxis: “gathered assembly”, the whole church, the Body of Christ, Head and members, join as one in blessing and giving thanks to the Father. * Memorial: Christ’s Paschal mystery; the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present. * Memorial: Christ’s Paschal mystery; the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present. * Holy Sacrifice: Christ sacrifice completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covena * Holy Sacrifice: Christ sacrifice completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covena nt.

Holy and Divine Liturgy and Sacred Mysteries: the Eucharist is the most intense expression of our faith were all sacraments and ministries are linked to it. * Holy and Divine Liturgy and Sacred Mysteries: the Eucharist is the most intense expression of our faith were all sacraments and ministries are linked to it. * Most Blessed Sacrament: the Body and Blood of Jesus, kept, or reserved, in the tabernacle. * Most Blessed Sacrament: the Body and Blood of Jesus, kept, or reserved, in the tabernacle. * The primary purpose of reserving is the administration of viaticum - Holy Name when is given to the dying; in Latin it means “food for the journey.” * The primary purpose of reserving is the administration of viaticum - Holy Name when is given to the dying; in Latin it means “food for the journey.” * Holy Communion: sharing in the Eucharist unites us to Christ and to all the faithful. * Holy Communion: sharing in the Eucharist unites us to Christ and to all the faithful. * The Holy Mass: Latin term missa, which refers to the dismissal of the faithful to fulfill God’s will in their daily lives. * The Holy Mass: Latin term missa, which refers to the dismissal of the faithful to fulfill God’s will in their daily lives.

The Rite of the Eucharist: The Liturgical Celebration of the EucharistThe Rite of the Eucharist: The Liturgical Celebration of the Eucharist A.Introductory Rites: gathering and preparing the community to listen to God’s Word and celebrate the Eucharist properly. B.Liturgy of the Word: the proclamation of the Word that includes: * Readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.* Readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. * The Homily – helps us understand and live out the Word of God.* The Homily – helps us understand and live out the Word of God. * Expressing our beliefs in the Nicene Creed* Expressing our beliefs in the Nicene Creed * Intercessions or prayers of the faithful – praying for the needs of the Church and all people.* Intercessions or prayers of the faithful – praying for the needs of the Church and all people.

C. Liturgy of the Eucharist: Only validly ordained priests can preside at the Eucharist and consecrate the bread and wine. * Preparation of the Gifts and Altar – a collection of money was taken at this time to help those in need and presented with the gifts of the bread and wine.* Preparation of the Gifts and Altar – a collection of money was taken at this time to help those in need and presented with the gifts of the bread and wine. * Anaphora: the Eucharistic Prayer – this includes the prayer of thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit is invoked to make the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus and to make present once again the memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus in our mist.* Anaphora: the Eucharistic Prayer – this includes the prayer of thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit is invoked to make the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus and to make present once again the memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus in our mist. * Communion Rite: The Lord’s Prayer and exchange the sign of peace. The breaking of the bread takes place and distributed among the gathered together.* Communion Rite: The Lord’s Prayer and exchange the sign of peace. The breaking of the bread takes place and distributed among the gathered together.

D. Concluding Rite (Dismissal): We are to seek to do God’s will in our daily lives. We are to live as Jesus’ disciples and announce the Good News.

The essential elements of the rite consist:  The essential elements of the rite consist: * The bread and wine * The invocation of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine The words of consecration spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper that are repeated by a validly ordained priest. The words of consecration spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper that are repeated by a validly ordained priest. The Eucharist is a sacramental sacrifice – it is a reminder of the heavenly banquet that we will celebrate after our life here on earth, when we will join with all of the faithful departed around the heavenly table. The Eucharist is a sacramental sacrifice – it is a reminder of the heavenly banquet that we will celebrate after our life here on earth, when we will join with all of the faithful departed around the heavenly table. Transubstantiation: is the term we use to describe the change of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.Transubstantiation: is the term we use to describe the change of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.

The fruits of the Eucharist: The fruits of the Eucharist: * it increased our union with Christ * in unity as part of the Body of Christ * the forgiveness of venial sins The Church invites us to celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday and on holy days of obligation, and to receive the Eucharist at least once a year at Easter.The Church invites us to celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday and on holy days of obligation, and to receive the Eucharist at least once a year at Easter.