The Holy Eucharist

The Blessed Sacrament or, The Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar Definition: the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine. Definition: the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine. Of all the sacraments, this one is the greatest: 1. It not only gives grace, it contains the Author and Source of all grace, Jesus Christ Himself; 2. It doesn’t only exist while it is administered, but continues to last as long as the appearances remain unchanged; 3. It is not only a sacrament, but also a sacrifice!

4 Old Testament Symbols of the Eucharist #1 The Sacrifice of Melchizedek: (Genesis 14:17- 24) the high priest Melchizedek offers a sacrifice of bread and wine. Abraham bows to him, which means that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham (i.e., Christ is greater than Abraham). #2 The Passover Lamb: (Exodus 12) a pure, spotless lamb was offered to God, killed, and eaten whole. Melchizedek blesses Abraham

Old Testament symbols, cont. #3 The Manna: (Exodus 16) God continued to feed the Israelites during their pilgrimage in the desert with “bread from heaven”. Christ feeds us with His Bread (Himself) on our pilgrimage towards eternal life. #4: The Sacrifice of Isaac: (Genesis 22) God tells Abraham to offer up his first-born son. God the Son, Jesus Christ, will offer His life to the Father for the salvation of the world. I am the Bread of Life (John 6:48)

Matter and Form Matter: (1) wheat bread, and (2) wine of the grape. Matter: (1) wheat bread, and (2) wine of the grape. A little water is mixed with the wine to symbolize the blood and water which flowed from Christ when the soldier pierced his side. A little water is mixed with the wine to symbolize the blood and water which flowed from Christ when the soldier pierced his side. Form: (1) “This is My Body”, and (2) “This is My Blood.” Form: (1) “This is My Body”, and (2) “This is My Blood.” The Grace of the Sacrament: is Christ’s own life within us! The Grace of the Sacrament: is Christ’s own life within us! “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6: 53) The elevation of the Chalice with the Precious Blood of Christ

“Do this in commemoration of Me.” Christ gave the power to turn bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Last Supper. Why? So that Christ: 1. Would always be present for us, not only as God, but as Man; 2. Could offer Himself daily through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; 3. Could nourish our souls in Holy Communion until the hour of our death. The Holy Eucharist is the greatest sign of God’s love for us!

Transubstantiation Definition: The change of the entire substance of bread and wine into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ. Definition: The change of the entire substance of bread and wine into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ. The substance changes, but the appearances (or “species”) of bread and wine remain the same. The substance changes, but the appearances (or “species”) of bread and wine remain the same. The Holy Eucharist looks, smells, tastes like bread and wine, but the substance of those “appearances” is truly Christ Himself. The Holy Eucharist looks, smells, tastes like bread and wine, but the substance of those “appearances” is truly Christ Himself. Christ was not speaking symbolically when He said: “You must eat my Flesh and drink my Blood.” (John 6) Christ was not speaking symbolically when He said: “You must eat my Flesh and drink my Blood.” (John 6) Christ becomes Our Daily Bread

The Real Presence Christ is present in the bread and wine truly, really, and substantially. In the 16 th century, the Protestant arch-heretics Martin Luther and John Calvin denied this ancient Christian teaching, and therefore also denied that the Mass is a true sacrifice. Since Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, it ought to be worshipped and adored according to the 1 st Commandment. Martin Luther, Heretic

Part 2 The Holy Eucharist as a Sacrifice

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Christ desired not only to be always present to us in the Holy Eucharist, but so that He may continually offer Himself for our sins in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Christ desired not only to be always present to us in the Holy Eucharist, but so that He may continually offer Himself for our sins in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Mass is the same, one true sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, but presented to us in an “unbloody manner” under the appearance of bread and wine. The Mass is the same, one true sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, but presented to us in an “unbloody manner” under the appearance of bread and wine. Unbloody = Christ does not die again every time Mass is celebrated. He died once and for all. Unbloody = Christ does not die again every time Mass is celebrated. He died once and for all. But that perfect sacrifice of the Cross is made available to us every time the Holy Mass is said. But that perfect sacrifice of the Cross is made available to us every time the Holy Mass is said. Calvary is re-presented to us at every Mass!

Sacrifice From the Latin sacer (sacred) + facere (to make, to do). From the Latin sacer (sacred) + facere (to make, to do). Definition: To make something sacred; to consecrate or to offer to God. Definition: To make something sacred; to consecrate or to offer to God. Purpose: for the greater glory and honor of God. Purpose: for the greater glory and honor of God. 4 reasons for sacrifice 1. Adoration: for worship 2. Thanksgiving: to recognize God’s many blessings we have received. 3. Expiation: for forgiveness of sins 4. Petition: to ask the Lord for our spiritual and temporal needs.

The Mass is a Real Sacrifice Meets the necessary conditions: 1. The Victim: Jesus Christ Himself is the one being offered to the Father, under the appearance of bread and wine. 2. The Oblation: (the offering itself) takes place at the Consecration (matter and form) under the separate species (appearances). The separate species represent the death of Christ, when His precious Blood was separated from His Body. The separate species represent the death of Christ, when His precious Blood was separated from His Body.

Part 3 The practice of frequent Holy Communion

“Domine, Non Sum Dignus” We are never truly worthy of God’s grace, but we should ask Him for it always! We are never truly worthy of God’s grace, but we should ask Him for it always! “My Flesh is real food, and My Blood is real drink.” (John 6:56) “My Flesh is real food, and My Blood is real drink.” (John 6:56) There does not exist a more powerful way in which to be close to Christ than to have Him inside our very bodies in Holy Communion. There does not exist a more powerful way in which to be close to Christ than to have Him inside our very bodies in Holy Communion. We receive graces that will guarantee our salvation, for the more we receive Holy Communion, the more supernatural life we will have! We receive graces that will guarantee our salvation, for the more we receive Holy Communion, the more supernatural life we will have! Ecce Agnus Dei!

The Effects of Holy Communion 1. Preserves and increases sanctifying grace in the soul. 2. It unites the soul more closely with Christ. 3. By uniting all of the faithful with Christ, Holy Communion unites them with each other in charity (with the Church Triumphant and Church Suffering). 4. It destroys venial sin, and preserves us from mortal sin. 5. It is a pledge of the future and glorious resurrection of the Last Day.

Purgatory

A Temporary State for the Saved Definition: a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions. Definition: a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions. Every sin incurs a debt of justice which needs to be paid, as a consequence of our free, human actions. Every sin incurs a debt of justice which needs to be paid, as a consequence of our free, human actions. Every human act has consequences, whether great or small, for good or for ill. Every human act has consequences, whether great or small, for good or for ill. Dante’s Purgatorio – Cantu 4

Purgatory in Scripture II Maccabees 12:43-46  “sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead” They did so in view of the hope of the resurrection of the dead! They did so in view of the hope of the resurrection of the dead! “For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead” (v. 45) Souls in Hell cannot be helped in any way, and souls in Heaven do not need help; therefore, these souls are in a place where they can be helped! Souls in Hell cannot be helped in any way, and souls in Heaven do not need help; therefore, these souls are in a place where they can be helped!

“Everyone who is angry at his brother shall be liable to judgment…make friends quickly with your accuser, lest he hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be placed in prison; Amen I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” - Matthew 5:22ff

Nature of the Punishment The holy souls are shut out for the time being from the glory of Heaven. The holy souls are shut out for the time being from the glory of Heaven. The inability to sin makes them secure in their hope of the Beatific Vision. The inability to sin makes them secure in their hope of the Beatific Vision. There is no doubt of their eternal salvation. There is no doubt of their eternal salvation. Purgatorial Fire: more painful than anything that can be experienced here on earth. Purgatorial Fire: more painful than anything that can be experienced here on earth. Necessary Fire: purification from an unhealthy attachment to creatures. Necessary Fire: purification from an unhealthy attachment to creatures.

Helping the Faithful Departed Prayer and penance can be done on behalf of the poor souls (the Rosary, fasting, Holy Hours, etc) Prayer and penance can be done on behalf of the poor souls (the Rosary, fasting, Holy Hours, etc) The Greatest Aid: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! The Greatest Aid: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! The Mass, since it is the perfect Sacrifice of Calvary, is a gift of infinite value, and can suffice to free a soul from its debts. The Mass, since it is the perfect Sacrifice of Calvary, is a gift of infinite value, and can suffice to free a soul from its debts. Masses should be requested often on behalf of the dead, as well as the living. Masses should be requested often on behalf of the dead, as well as the living.

Indulgences Indulegentia (Latin) = kindness, favor. Indulegentia (Latin) = kindness, favor. In Roman Law, it was the remission of a tax or debt. In Roman Law, it was the remission of a tax or debt. Definition: the remission of the temporal punishment due to sin that has been forgiven. Definition: the remission of the temporal punishment due to sin that has been forgiven. The power to remove this debt is derived from the (a) merits of Christ and of His saints— especially the martyrs—(b) through the exercise of the power of the Keys of the Kingdom given to St. Peter by Christ. The power to remove this debt is derived from the (a) merits of Christ and of His saints— especially the martyrs—(b) through the exercise of the power of the Keys of the Kingdom given to St. Peter by Christ.

Types of Indulgences 1. Plenary Indulgence: the removal of the entire debt of justice. 2. Partial Indulgence: the removal of a part of the entire debt. Indulgences can be gained for either oneself or for the holy souls in Purgatory. Indulgences can be gained for either oneself or for the holy souls in Purgatory. Requirements: Must be in the state of grace; Must be in the state of grace; Must have gone to confession and have received Holy Communion; Must have gone to confession and have received Holy Communion; Pray for the intentions of the Pope Pray for the intentions of the Pope Must be detached from ALL sin!!! Must be detached from ALL sin!!!

The End