1. Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
Catholic Digital Resources presents . . .
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
Christ reveals himself through the Mass and transforms us into his likeness
© 2007 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources – catholicdr.com
(c) 2007 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

2. Q: How many times does Jesus reveal himself in the Catholic Mass?
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
Q: How many times does Jesus reveal himself in the Catholic Mass?
Opening Hymn
Introductory Rites
Penitential Rite
Liturgy of the Word
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Communion Rite
Concluding Rite
Let’s look at each of these, one at a time…

3. A: We’re coming together as individuals to become a community.
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
OPENING HYMN
Mass begins with a gathering song and procession.
Q: Why?
A: We’re coming together as individuals to become a community.
Singing the opening hymn together builds unity.
Jesus first reveals himself through one another.
Discuss: In what ways do you see Jesus in other people?
Discuss: Why is it important to greet others in a friendly way when you come to church?
Q: Why do the priest, altar servers, and other ministers of the Mass process into the church?
A: Their entrance completes the community.
Everyone should be here now.

4. Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Next, we make the sign of the cross.
Q: Why?
A: To remind ourselves that Jesus has saved us from death, by dying on the cross, to take us to heaven.
The Presider (leading priest) says: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
And we all reply: “Amen.”
Presider: “The Lord be with you.”
All: “And with your spirit.”
Responding back and forth means we all participate in the Mass …
as a community …
that listens to Jesus speak to us through one another.

5. In thanksgiving for God’s forgiveness, we sing or pray together:
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
THE GLORIA
In thanksgiving for God’s forgiveness, we sing or pray together:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
We are grateful that Jesus died on the cross for us to take away the sins that we thought about in the Penitential Rite.
We sing “Glory!” because we are excited to receive forgiveness.
When we say, Have mercy on us … and … Receive our prayer we don’t have to convince him. Jesus is saying, “Yes!”

6. Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
OLD TESTAMENT READING The first reading from Scripture is always from the Old Testament except during the Easter Season.
It tells a story of how God revealed himself to the Chosen People (the Jews) before Jesus was born.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
The Psalms were written as prayers to be sung.
We’re responding back and forth as a prayer-conversation with God.
SECOND READING
Taken from the New Testament.
These are writings that tell us about life in the Christian Church.
Jesus is revealing himself to us to teach us how to live as his followers.

7. THE LITURGY OF THE WORD (continued)
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD (continued)
GOSPEL READING
From Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
The word “Gospel” means “Good News”
Q: What’s the Good News?
A: Jesus loves us and will take us to heaven.
This scripture must be read by a priest or a deacon, because by the Sacrament of his Holy Orders, he is the voice of Jesus speaking the words of Jesus.
Q: Before the Gospel is read, why do we draw crosses on our forehead, lips and heart?
A: We are silently praying: “May the words of Jesus remain in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.”
We’re asking Jesus to reveal himself in the scriptures and the homily.
And we’re asking that his words will change us forever.
Listen closely! Use your imagination. Listen in your heart. It’s not the preacher who is teaching you something … it is Jesus!

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9. THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (continued)
Q: What is the new and everlasting covenant?
A: A promise from Jesus to take us to heaven.
Q: How did shedding his blood make this possible?
A: We deserve to be punished for our sins, but Jesus took the punishment for us when he went to the cross for us.
He willingly sacrificed his life for us.
If we say “yes” to this incredible gift, we receive his life.
On Easter when he was resurrected, he showed us that his life is forever.
Therefore … in him our life is forever, too!

10. Q: How are you different?
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
THE COMMUNION RITE
If we paid attention throughout the Mass:
finding Jesus in the unity of singing with everyone,
recalling our sins and finding Jesus in his forgiveness,
hearing Jesus in the scriptures,
and finding him in the supernatural event of the bread and wine changing into his Body and Blood:
We are transformed into his likeness when we receive Communion.
We leave Mass changed by the experience.
Q: How are you different?
The priest raises up Christ’s Body and says:
“Behold the Lamb of God … Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”
We pray:
“Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed!”
Jesus replies: “Yes! Be healed!”

11. The Presider or Deacon gives a final blessing.
Christ’s True Presence in the Mass and the Holy Eucharist
THE CONCLUDING RITE
The Presider or Deacon gives a final blessing.
It is Jesus himself who is blessing us:
“Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
The Eucharist and all the other parts of Mass have made us able to go forth from church to make the world a better place.
We are now united to Jesus, and we continue the mission he started.