1. The Sacrament of the Eucharist
Chapter 5

2. SOURCE AND SUMMIT What does this mean?
Compare the Eucharist to a family dinner table
Ties us to the past, makes the present come alive, and sets us on the course for which we are called at the end of our lives
The word means “to give thanks”
Assimilates us into Christ
We are what we eat
Allows us to continue Jesus’ work of spreading the Gospel and sharing God’s love with others
Our daily food for the spirit
The sacrament of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

3. UNDERSTANDING THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
Bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ through invocation of H.S.
A request for God’s help
Bread and wine signify the goodness of God’s creation
Offered in sacrifice among the first of fruits of earth (OT)
The manna the Israelites ate in the desert
“Cup of blessing” during Jewish Passover
Difficult for some people to accept this command of Jesus
Don’t believe in Christ’s actual presence in the species
Even the Apostles struggle with this
“Do you also want to leave?”

4. The Institution of the Eucharist
Jesus Anticipates his Passion and Death and interprets them in terms of the Jewish Passover.
His sacrifice transcends time, winning justification for all the faithful
Because Apostles have power to change bread and wine into Blood and Body, Jesus is accessible 24/7

5. The Eucharist Through the Age of the Church
Rooted in Jewish faith
Morning prayer in Temple; Evening meal and Eucharist
After Temple destroyed celebrated both together in evening
Mass of Catechumens (Liturgy of Word); Liturgy of Eucharist
Throughout history we see it organically grow into how we celebrate the Eucharist today.
Second Vatican Council

6. CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
Precondition
The gathering of people in one place
The High Priest of the ceremony = Christ
He is the invisible presider of all Eucharistic celebrations (Mass)
Bishops and priests act in the person of Christ
Preside over a particular celebration

7. Order of the Mass Liturgy of the Word Liturgy of the Eucharist
Introductory rites
Liturgy of the Word
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Concluding rites

8. Introductory Rites
Purpose is to help the assembled people to become a worshipping community and prepare them for listening to God’s Word and celebrating the Eucharist
Procession and entrance song
Priest greets people
Penitential rite
Invitation to repent of sin
Confetitor (“I Confess”)
Prepares one to receive God’s grace

9. Liturgy of the Word First reading Responsorial Psalm
OT, Acts, or Revelation
Responsorial Psalm
Second reading (Only on Sundays & Holy Days)
Usually NT letters
Alleluia (Gospel Acclamation)
Gospel reading
Priest or Deacon
Homily
Catechumens dismissed
Nicene Creed
Prayers of the Faithful

10. Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presentation of the Offering
Eucharistic Prayer
Preface
Epiclesis
Words of Institution
Anamnesis
Intercessions for the entire Church
Doxology
Great Amen
Communion Rite
Concluding Rite

11. Presentation of the Offering
Also known as Offertory
Tradition dates back to giving gifts for Apostles and the poor
Gifts of bread and wine presented
Wine poured into chalice
Drop of water added; symbolizes the human nature of Jesus that coexists his divinity
Vessels of hosts are placed on corporal (white cloth) and are readied for consecration
“Pray , my brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God…”
“May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands..”

12. Eucharistic Prayer
The Church’s great prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God
4 main Eucharistic prayers in Roman rite
High point of the Mass
Preface - prayer of thanksgiving, Sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy”)
Epiclesis - Invocation of the H.S. to sanctify bread and wine and make them Body and Blood of Christ
Not by power of presider but by the Holy Spirit
Words of Institution - The words said by Jesus over the bread and wine at the Last Supper. The priest repeats these words over the species as they are changed into the actual Body and Blood of Christ
Anamnesis - means “memorial”; call to mind Jesus’ Passion and resurrection (“Christ has died….”)
Intercessions for entire Church - living and dead
Doxology - A prayer of praise to the Blessed Trinity
Great Amen - “So be it” or “I agree”
The affirmation by the people to the entire Eucharistic Prayer

13. The Communion Rite Prepares the faithful to receive the Lord
Consists of:
Lords Prayer (“Our Father”)
Rite of Peace
Fraction Rite: when priest breaks the Body of Christ
Puts piece of Body in Blood to symbolize the unity between the two
Reception of Communion
Prayer after Communion
Concluding rite - people sent out into the world
Charged to “love and serve the Lord”; be Christ for others

14. THE GRACES OF HOLY COMMUNION
Principle effect: it strengthens our union with Christ
We are strengthened to love others because God first loved us
Not only enables us to love others in imitation of Christ but also to be united with Christ in a way that reveals himself to others through us

15. Unity with Christ
Christ becomes a part of us and we become a part of him

16. Separation from Sin Holy Communion cleanses the soul of venial sins
Venial sin = weakens our relationship with God
Our unity with Christ makes it difficult for us to break away from him by mortal sin
However, does not forgive us of mortal sins
Mortal sin = full consent of the will to violate God’s law of love; results in loss of sanctifying grace
Not intended to; reserved for Reconciliation

17. Becoming Church
“Because the loaf of bread is one, we though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” (1 Cor 10:17)
We not only are united with Christ but with the other faithful as well
As a sacrament of initiation the Eucharist does two main things:
Continually incorporates us more into the Church
Nourishes us spiritually to become the Church
Evangelize to and serve others

18. To Be Eucharist for Others
Through the Eucharist we become the bread others need
We love because of how God has loved us; compassion and mercy
Provide physical as well as emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of others

19. Requirements for Formal Reception
Examination of conscience
Must be properly disposed
Right mindset; willfully accept Trinity in your life
Must be in a state of grace
We are not in communion with God if we have sinned mortally
Must be reconciled
At least once a year at Easter
Church encourages on Sunday, feast days, and even more so daily
One hour fast before Communion from food and drink
Except water
First Communion
7 years of age

20. WE ARE SENT Mass comes from Latin missa, which means “dismissal”
Meant to encourage outreach by those who participated
Dismissal rite
Because of the Eucharist just celebrated Christ is with us and within us
Be the Eucharist for others; mission
Why it is the “source and summit of our Christian life”
Keeps us connected to Christ
Gives is the ability to continue Christ’s ministry