 The Sacrament of the Eucharist: Christ’s Gift of Himself to us

I. What is Holy Eucharist?  A. A sacrament in which Jesus Christ gives Himself – body and blood – for us,  B. So that we might give ourselves to him in love,  C. And be united with him in holy communion

II. When did Christ institute the Eucharist?  A. On the evening before his death (“On the night he was betrayed”)  B. When he gathered the apostles around Him in the upper room in Jerusalem,  C. And celebrated the last supper with them.

III. How did Christ institute the Eucharist? A. He took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” B. Also the chalice, saying, “This chalice is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

IV. How Important is the Eucharist for the Church?  The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart of Christian communion.  In it the Church becomes Church.

V. What are the various names for Jesus’ meal with us?  The Holy Sacrifice, Holy Mass, the Sacrifice of the Mass.  The Lord’s Supper.  The Breaking of the Bread.  The Eucharistic Assembly

V. Name of Jesus’ meal (cont.)  The memorial of the Lord’s Passion, death and Resurrection.  The Holy and Divine Liturgy, the Sacred Mysteries.  Holy Communion.

VI. Essential Elements of the Holy Mass  A. Two main elements for every mass:  1. Liturgy of the Word  2. Liturgy of the Eucharist

VII. The Structure of the Mass A. The Liturgy of the Word 1. Gathering of the people…in silence. 2. Entrance of the priest and other ministers into the sanctuary 3. Greeting, penitential rite (Confiteor)

VII. Mass Structure (cont.)  4. Kyrie Eleison (following the confiteor)  5. The Gloria (on Sundays and feasts, etc. but not during Advent or Lent)  6. Readings of the day: From the Old and New Testaments

VII. Mass Structure (cont.)  7. Responsorial Psalm  8. Alleluia, followed by the reading of the Gospel ( from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John – the four “evangelists”)  9. Homily (on Sundays and feasts)

VII. Mass Structure (cont.)  10. Creed (on Sundays and feasts)  11. Intercession or “Prayers of the faithful”

VII. Mass Structure (cont.)  B. Liturgy of the Eucharist  1. Preparation of the Gifts and Offertory prayer.  2. Preface and Sanctus (We’re not getting to the high point of the Mass)  3. Consecration (transubstantiation, not consubstantiation)

 B. Liturgy of the Eucharist (cont.)  4. The Lord’s Prayer.  5. The Prayer for Peace  6. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God? Where does that come from?)

 B. Liturgy of the Eucharist (cont.)  7. Breaking of the bread,  8. Distribution of the gifts (Communion)  What’s required?  Must be Catholic  Must be free from serious sin  Eucharist

 How to prepare for communion:  Who is it you’re going to receive?  Private prayers  Focus on Christ in the Eucharist

 B. Liturgy of the Eucharist (cont.)  9. Meditation, thanksgiving, concluding prayer, blessing by the priest  “Ite, missa est”  “Deo Gratias”

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