Topic
The Eucharist
The Eucharist is Christ himself — body, blood, soul and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine. It is the source and summit of the Christian life, and the heart of every Mass.
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What is the Eucharist?
The Eucharist is the sacrament in which Jesus Christ is truly present — body, blood, soul and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine. Catholics receive him in Holy Communion, and the Church calls it "the source and summit of the Christian life."
Read the full answerQuestions about the Eucharist
All The Eucharist questions
What is the Eucharist?
The Eucharist is the sacrament in which Jesus Christ is truly present — body, blood, soul and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine. Catholics receive him in Holy Communion, and the Church calls it "the source and summit of the Christian life."
What is transubstantiation?
Transubstantiation is the Church's word for what happens at the consecration of the Mass: the whole substance of the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ, while the outward appearances of bread and wine remain.
Why do Catholics believe in the Real Presence?
Because Jesus said so, and meant it literally. In John 6 he insisted repeatedly that his flesh must be eaten, let disciples walk away rather than soften it, and at the Last Supper said "This is my body." The earliest Christians read these words literally, and the Church has never stopped doing so.
What is Eucharistic adoration?
Eucharistic adoration is prayer before Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament — either in the tabernacle or exposed in a monstrance. Because the consecrated host is Christ, Catholics worship him there, often for a "holy hour."
What happens at Mass?
The Mass has two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word, where Scripture is proclaimed and explained, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where bread and wine become Christ's body and blood and are received in Communion. Opening rites come before and a blessing and sending come after.
Can non-Catholics receive Communion at Mass?
Ordinarily, no. Receiving Communion is a sign of full unity in faith with the Catholic Church, so non-Catholics are warmly welcome at Mass but are asked not to receive. They may come forward for a blessing with arms crossed, or remain in prayer in the pew. Limited exceptions exist, especially for Orthodox Christians.
Must the tabernacle be in the center of the sanctuary?
No. The tabernacle may be placed anywhere in the church, as long as the location is distinguished, conspicuous, beautifully decorated and suitable for prayer.
Is there a difference between a presider and a celebrant?
No — both words name the one who offers the Mass, so only a priest or bishop can be either. "Presider" is newer and stresses that the priest leads; "celebrant" is older and stresses that he is the one who chiefly celebrates. Either term is correct.
Is nocturnal adoration from Holy Thursday into Good Friday permitted?
Yes. After the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the faithful are encouraged to spend time in adoration before the reserved Blessed Sacrament. From midnight on, the adoration should continue without external solemnity, because the day of the Lord's Passion has begun.
Can non-Catholics participate in the gestures at Mass?
Yes. A non-Catholic in the congregation may do everything Catholics in the pews do — sign of the cross, kneeling, standing — except receive Communion. Guests may join in as far as they are comfortable; observers need only stand when others stand and otherwise sit quietly.
Does the Church approve of Christian Seders held at parishes?
The Church has not expressly forbidden Christian Seders, but neither has she approved them for public celebration. Unapproved private devotions should not be celebrated publicly on Church property, because that gives the false impression of Church approval.
Can female Anglican priests consecrate the Eucharist like male Anglican priests?
The Catholic Church does not recognize Anglican orders as valid, for men or women. In her view, no Anglican priest can validly consecrate the bread and wine, because the form of holy orders was compromised when the Church of England ceased to uphold the Mass as a sacrifice under Edward VI.
Jesus gave the Eucharist after a meal, so why must Catholics fast before Mass?
We don't know exactly when in the Last Supper Jesus gave the Eucharist. In any case, the eucharistic fast is a discipline, not a doctrine: it helps Catholics prepare to receive Christ, and the Church can change it — as she did when she shortened it to one hour. Paul's instructions to the Corinthians suggest an early form of the practice.
If I'm on active duty and can only attend a Protestant service, does it fulfill my Sunday obligation?
No. A Protestant service does not fulfill the Sunday obligation. But if attending Mass is impossible, you have no obligation; the Church recommends that you take part in a Liturgy of the Word if one is available, or spend time in prayer alone, with family, or with groups of families.
I didn't arrive at Mass until the consecration. Was I right not to receive Communion?
You could have received. The Church does not require participation in the Mass in order to receive the Eucharist, so arriving late is no obstacle. The only exception is a second reception on the same day, which canon law allows only within a Mass you participate in.
Why do we proclaim Christ's death at Mass, even though he rose from the dead?
The acclamation rephrases Paul: "as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). We proclaim his death because by it we are redeemed — and he is risen and alive. The Mass offers the same sacrifice of Calvary, not a new one.
Why were the words "mystery of faith" taken out of the consecration in the new Mass?
Not to weaken belief in transubstantiation, but to express Christ's actual words more clearly. "Mystery of faith" is not in any scriptural account of the institution and is not required for a valid consecration; Paul VI moved it to introduce the people's acclamation. Vatican II taught that changeable elements of the liturgy should be revised to express holy things more clearly.
At what age should children start attending Mass regularly?
Young children are welcome at Mass, but the obligation to attend begins after age seven. Canon 1247 obliges the faithful to attend Sunday Mass, and canon 11 says merely ecclesiastical laws bind those who have completed seven years of age unless the law says otherwise.
Why can't ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to Sunday-school teachers working during Mass?
Because the teachers belong at Mass. Nothing on earth equals what happens on the altar, and Sunday school is not a substitute for the Mass, as it sometimes is among Protestants. Teachers need to understand the Mass before teaching — and children past preschool age should be at Mass too.
Is "Eucharistic minister" the correct title for a layperson who distributes Communion?
No. The correct title is "extraordinary minister of Holy Communion." Redemptionis Sacramentum rejects "special minister of Holy Communion," "extraordinary minister of the Eucharist" and "special minister of the Eucharist," because they broaden the meaning of the role improperly.
Are Eastern "Masses" valid? Should Catholics receive Communion at them?
The consecration is valid in both Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox divine liturgies. A Roman-rite Catholic may receive Communion at an Eastern Catholic liturgy, which also fulfills the Sunday obligation. Orthodox liturgies do not fulfill it, and Catholics ordinarily should not receive Communion there, though some circumstances permit it.
Do the Episcopal and Orthodox churches have the Real Presence in the Eucharist?
The Orthodox churches have valid holy orders, so their Eucharist is valid. The Episcopal Church does not have valid orders, so its Eucharist is not.
Must the Church use specially made liturgical wine for Mass?
In principle any pure, unspoiled grape wine may be consecrated. But because commercial wines are often adulterated, the Holy See insists that Mass wine come from sources beyond suspicion — reputable Mass-wine vendors, or wine otherwise guaranteed pure.
Can deacons perform exposition and benediction?
Yes. A priest or deacon ordinarily exposes and reposes the Blessed Sacrament; if neither is available, the local ordinary may appoint a layperson to do it. Only a bishop, priest or deacon can give benediction.
Is making the sign of the cross after Communion improper?
No. No Church document says the sign of the cross is improper after receiving the Eucharist. The sign of the cross is always appropriate.
Does the Church excuse people from Sunday Mass based on age?
No. There is no age limit on the Sunday obligation, though it can be dispensed for just cause, such as illness or inability to get to Mass. The age limit you may have heard of applies to Lenten fasting, not Sunday Mass.
Is music allowed during the Eucharistic Prayer?
No. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says that while the priest speaks the presidential prayers, there should be no other prayer or song, and the organ and other instruments should be silent.
My priest says "Receive Jesus Christ" at Communion instead of "The Body of Christ." Is that okay?
No. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal prescribes "The Body of Christ," to which the communicant answers "Amen." The liturgy is not private property, and no one — including the priest — may change the rubrics on his own.
Did Jesus celebrate the Passover a day early?
We don't know for sure, but the Gospels imply it: Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation, before the Seder. Since he wanted to share the Passover before his death, by his authority he could have eaten it a day early. The Dolorous Passion attributed to Anne Catherine Emmerich is not a reliable guide to these events.
I don't like the Novus Ordo and can't get to the old Mass every week. Is it a sin not to go?
Yes, it can be. Mass isn't about our likes and dislikes but about Christ's sacrifice on Golgotha, offered on the altar whatever the language or rite. Missing Sunday Mass through one's own fault can be a mortal sin, and ranking a preferred style above the Mass itself ignores God's act of love.
My non-Catholic husband says the Eucharist should make me a better Christian than he is. Is that so?
Neither of you can judge the state of your soul, or know how holy you would be without the sacraments, or he with them. But no one draws near to Christ without being affected: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life." Only Christ knows how holy you are — but you are better off receiving him than not.
Is it okay for a youth group to meet on Sunday?
Yes. Sunday rest means avoiding servile work and activities that hinder worship, the joy of the Lord's day, or rest. A youth group meeting is more likely to help these than hinder them.
Can I receive Communion in an Anglican church?
No. The Anglican church does not have valid holy orders, so eucharistic intercommunion is not possible. The Catechism teaches that communities from the Reformation have not preserved the full reality of the Eucharist, especially because they lack holy orders.
What are the rules for dipping the host into the Precious Blood?
Intinction is permitted: the GIRM says the Blood of the Lord may be received by drinking from the chalice or by intinction. But lay people may not dip the host themselves; only a minister may.
Should there be a crucifix in the sanctuary?
Yes. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal requires a cross with the figure of Christ crucified on or near the altar, clearly visible to the people. If there isn't one, the processional crucifix can serve.
May the priest stay seated while a layman distributes Communion?
Only when necessary. Extraordinary ministers may give Communion only when priest and deacon are lacking, when the priest is prevented by weakness, age or another genuine reason, or when the number of communicants would unduly prolong the Mass. Without true necessity, it is prohibited.
Why shouldn't we applaud the choir at the end of Mass?
The church is not a concert hall and the liturgy is not a performance. We are there to direct our attention to God, not each other. If you appreciate the music, compliment the director after Mass.
Doesn't the new Mass reject Pius V's mandate in Quo Primum?
No. Quo Primum concerned discipline, not an infallible teaching on faith or morals — it even allowed exceptions for other approved uses and customs. Discipline can always be changed by equal or greater authority, so "in perpetuity" means "until changed." Paul VI had the same authority as Pius V.
Are nurses bound to observe the Sabbath rest?
Nursing the sick on Sunday is a work of mercy. The Sabbath is Saturday, part of the Old Law; Sunday, the Lord's Day, has taken its place for Christians. Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Keep the Lord's Day as holy as you can — and know the Lord stands beside you as you serve.
Is the gesture of reverence before Communion optional?
No. The General Instruction directs communicants to bow their heads before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence, so it is required of those physically able. The same sign is made before receiving the Precious Blood.
Should we kneel at Mass?
Yes. In U.S. dioceses the faithful kneel from after the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer — even without kneelers — unless prevented by lack of space or physical infirmity.
Are electric sanctuary candles acceptable?
No. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says a special lamp fueled by oil or wax should be kept burning near the tabernacle to indicate and honor Christ's presence.
Shouldn't everyone take the same postures at Mass as a sign of unity?
Yes, a common posture is a sign of unity — and the correct posture during the consecration is kneeling. The General Instruction says the faithful kneel from after the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, unless prevented.
May priests prohibit female altar servers?
Yes. Bishops have been given permission to allow girls to serve at the altar, but the Congregation for Divine Worship has made clear that a bishop cannot force a priest to admit women and girls to altar service.
Is kneeling a construct of feudal relations from the Byzantine court?
No. Even if it were, kneeling expresses humility in our culture. But kneeling as submission is far older than Byzantium: it appears throughout the Old and New Testaments — Jesus himself knelt to pray in Gethsemane.
Can a lay pastoral coordinator give a homily?
No. Canon law reserves the homily to a priest or deacon; the General Instruction says it may never be entrusted to a lay person; and Redemptionis Sacramentum explicitly includes "pastoral assistants" and every other layperson in the prohibition.
Did the Church change the Mass to make it more acceptable to Protestants?
No. The reform's primary concern was the active participation of Catholic laity. Vatican II did list fostering Christian unity among its reasons, but not first — and unity is a valid concern, given how much Jesus valued it.
Is Christ's presence in the Eucharist equal to his presence in the Word and the assembly?
No. The Church acknowledges Christ's presence in the Word, the sacraments and the assembly, but his presence in the Eucharist surpasses all others. It is called "real" par excellence because it is substantial: Christ is present whole and entire, God and man.
When is it appropriate to applaud at Mass?
Rarely, and never for performances. Applause for entertainment — a soloist's high note — turns liturgy into religious entertainment. But applause can fit when the community rejoices together in faith well lived: honoring mothers or a golden anniversary at the end of Mass, a newly married couple, the newly baptized, or those who served at Christmas and Easter.
Can you get sick from drinking from the Eucharistic cup?
Yes. The Precious Blood doesn't protect the cup from germs. Reasonable care should be taken to clean the cup between communicants, and during an epidemic it may be prudent to distribute only the host.
Why do some people approach Communion holding a rosary?
It likely goes back to pre-Vatican II custom, when many lay people prayed the rosary during Mass — never required by the Church. Today liturgical documents ask the laity to focus on the public prayer of the Mass rather than private devotions.
Who's right about when the bread and wine become Christ's Body and Blood?
The change occurs at the words of consecration — that is why the priest then shows the host and chalice for adoration. The Catechism teaches that in the institution narrative, Christ's words and the Holy Spirit make his Body and Blood sacramentally present.
My priest uses a crystal decanter at Mass. Is that allowed?
Only for unconsecrated wine poured into chalices before the consecration. Decanters and flagons may not hold the Precious Blood, and chalices may not be made of crystal or pottery; sacred vessels must be of precious metal or gilded inside.
Why is the monstrance sometimes held with bare hands and sometimes with covered hands?
The humeral veil is symbolic: it draws attention to the sacredness of the Blessed Sacrament. No one is truly worthy to hold the Sacrament, veil or not — and our Lord handed the Eucharist to his apostles without one.
Is praying after Communion introverted?
No. That claim misunderstands prayer and Communion. Introversion is being turned in on oneself; true prayer is all about God. After Communion we are most intimately united with one another because of our union with him — Christ is the source of that unity. Acknowledge his presence; nothing matters more.
Should my daughter's CCD class require a Mass attendance record?
The parish means well, but the policy is problematic: Catholics may fulfill the Sunday obligation at any Catholic Mass, not only their parish. It is especially troubling if first sacraments depend on the record, since any failure would be the parents'. Talk to the pastor, then a canon lawyer if needed.
Is it illicit for a priest to sing the words of consecration?
No. Before Vatican II the Latin rite was the only rite that didn't sing the consecration. Now the whole Eucharistic Prayer may be sung, using music approved by the local bishop.
What happened to the three prayers at the end of Low Mass?
These were the Leonine prayers, requested by Leo XIII after Low Mass for the whole Church and later offered by Pius XI for Russia's conversion: three Hail Marys, the Hail Holy Queen, the prayer to St. Michael and a threefold invocation of the Sacred Heart. They were never part of the Missal, and their removal came before Vatican II closed in 1964.
May the congregation pray "Through him, with him, and in him" with the priest?
No. Only the priest may say those words, the *Per Ipsum*. The people join through their responses and especially the great Amen that follows.
Can the sanctuary lamp be a color other than red?
Yes. Red is traditional, but no liturgical law fixes the color. What is required is a lamp near the tabernacle, fueled by oil or wax and kept burning to show and honor Christ's presence.
Should a crucifix be in the sanctuary during Mass?
Yes. The *General Instruction of the Roman Missal* requires a cross with the figure of Christ crucified, on or near the altar and clearly visible to the people, and recommends that it remain near the altar outside liturgies too.
Was Latin used so that the people couldn't understand the Mass?
No. Before Vatican II the faithful followed the Mass in Latin-English missals, the Gospel was usually read again in the vernacular, and sermons were in the vernacular. Latin was used because it is the Church's official language, a stable, universal sign of unity and a safeguard of doctrine.
What should be done with a host that has been spit out if there is no sacristy nearby?
Pick up the host with a handkerchief or paper towel and bring it to the sacristy. It may be inconvenient, but it is the Body of the Lord, which deserves the greatest care.
Do the Word, the community and the Eucharist deserve equal reverence?
No. The Eucharist is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, God the Son. Only the Father and the Holy Spirit are his equals. Equating the Eucharist with the Word and the congregation is not just confused thinking but heresy.
Is it liturgically correct to put boulders and dried plants near the altar during Lent?
The *General Instruction of the Roman Missal* asks for moderation in decorating the altar and forbids flowers on it during Lent, except on Laetare Sunday, solemnities and feasts.
Does a Saturday morning Mass fulfill the Sunday obligation?
No. Canon law says the obligation is satisfied by Mass on the day itself or in the evening of the preceding day, not on Saturday morning.
Why does the Church keep the worst sinners at a distance by denying them Communion?
It doesn't; sinners keep themselves at a distance by choosing to sin. Christ's compassion was for the repentant, whom he warned not to sin again. Someone in an invalid union can go to confession, resolve to live as brother and sister, and then receive Communion.
Does having several priests consecrate the Eucharist give the Mass special meaning?
When two or more priests or bishops celebrate Mass together, it is called concelebration, and it expresses unity: of the priesthood, of the Sacrifice and of the whole people of God (GIRM 199).
Why is missing Mass a serious sin if it affects only me and God?
"Only God" is not a small matter: God comes first, and he has commanded us to keep holy the Lord's day. Mass is also being present at the foot of the cross to give thanks for his Passion; skipping it turns our backs on that love.
Is it heretical for a nun to give the homily?
Not heretical, since heresy is the obstinate denial or doubt of a truth of faith. But it is wrong: the homily at Mass is reserved to a priest or deacon, never a layperson.
Are we bound to follow the 2003 General Instruction of the Roman Missal?
Yes. Its Decree of Publication, dated March 19, 2003, makes it, effective immediately, the sole translation of the *Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani* (third typical edition) for use in U.S. dioceses.
Should I complain to the bishop about a priest changing the words of the readings?
If you write, acknowledge the bishop's authority and your obedience to him as Christ's representative, and give full particulars. Above all, pray for everyone involved and that they come to understand the value of submission.
May extraordinary ministers bless communicants with the consecrated host?
Absolutely not. Blessing with the Eucharist is benediction, reserved to a priest or deacon. Extraordinary ministers may expose and repose the Sacrament but may not give the blessing with it.
If someone doesn't believe the host is Christ's body, does that change what happens when he receives?
Christ's presence in the Eucharist does not depend on the communicant. But Christ never forces his love on anyone: without the proper disposition one cannot receive the sacrament's grace and may even receive it sacrilegiously.
Are "This is the Body of Christ" and "I believe" acceptable substitutes for "The Body of Christ" and "Amen"?
No. No one may add to, omit from or alter the approved liturgical books. The minister says "The Body of Christ" (or "The Blood of Christ") and the communicant answers "Amen," with nothing added or edited.
May extraordinary ministers approach the altar before the priest receives Communion?
No. The GIRM says they should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion and must receive the sacred vessels from the celebrant. They may be in the sanctuary, but practices that confuse their role with the priest's, such as receiving apart like concelebrants, are to be avoided.
Is there a difference between acolytes and altar servers?
Yes. Acolyte is a stable ministry conferred by liturgical rite on laymen (canon 230 §1). Altar server is a role created about a thousand years ago to stand in for acolytes; since it is not sacramental and was created by the Church, the Church allows women and girls to serve.
Is my 13-month-old son required to attend Sunday Mass?
No. Children below the age of reason are not obliged. But they should be used to attending Mass by seven, the accepted age of reason, and should be going regularly by the time they start school.
Must we confess before Communion because God cannot be in the presence of sin?
The premise is wrong: Scripture shows Jesus in the presence of sin. The Eucharist itself forgives venial sins, but not mortal ones, so anyone conscious of mortal sin must confess first. Receiving in mortal sin is a further grave sin, a sacrilege.
How long can a consecrated host remain in a pyx or lunette before it must be replaced?
No fixed time is set; canon law says reserved hosts must be "renewed frequently," with the older ones consumed, to prevent corruption. Mass should be celebrated where the Eucharist is reserved at least twice a month, and a host for exposition should ideally be consecrated at the Mass just before adoration.
Do we "receive" the Eucharist or "take" it?
Both are correct. Christ told his disciples to "take" his body and cup (cf. Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-23), so "take" is not wrong. Catholic piety has favored "receive" to stress that Communion is Christ's gift.
Should a priest invite non-Catholics who believe in the Real Presence to receive Communion?
No. The Eucharist is offered to non-Catholic Christians only in the extraordinary circumstances of canon 844, which were not met. For mixed marriages, couples are usually advised to marry outside Mass for this reason.
Can the priest change the wording of the Gospel to make it more understandable?
No. A priest may not change Christ's words in the Gospel for any reason. Canon law and Vatican II forbid anyone, even a priest, to add to, remove from or change the liturgy on his own authority.
Why does the Church call the Body of Christ "bread" in the Mystery of Faith?
Calling it "bread" echoes Jesus' own words: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven" (John 6:51). It is one of many names that bring out different aspects of the Eucharist, such as the "Breaking of Bread."
Should the Blessed Sacrament be reposed during Mass if exposed in a side chapel?
Exposition may continue during Mass only in a chapel completely separate from the body of the church where some of the faithful stay in adoration. Otherwise it is interrupted during Mass.
Why do we bend the right knee when genuflecting?
The GIRM describes a genuflection as bending the right knee to the ground. It signifies adoration, so it is reserved for the Blessed Sacrament, and for the Holy Cross from its solemn adoration on Good Friday until the Easter Vigil.
Is the sign of the cross on forehead, lips and heart before the Gospel for the priest only?
No, everyone does it. The GIRM says the priest signs the book and his forehead, mouth and breast, "which everyone else does as well."
When did the Church teach that each species contains both Christ's body and blood?
Transubstantiation was formally defined at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, but the Church has always held that Christ is present whole and entire in each species and in each of their parts (CCC 1377).
What is the difference between adoring the Lord in the tabernacle and adoring him exposed?
It is the same Lord in both. The difference is practical: in the tabernacle the Blessed Sacrament is under lock and key, while exposed it is vulnerable, so at least one person, better two, must keep watch.
My priest and liturgy committee say variations in the liturgy are permitted. Is that right?
No. The Church does not allow such latitude in the liturgy. Ask them for documentation; they will not be able to produce it. Jimmy Akin's *Mass Confusion* is a good resource.
At what point do the bread and wine become Christ's body and blood?
When the words of consecration complete the sentence: once "This is my body" has been said, the change takes place. The same holds for the wine becoming his blood.
How necessary is it to keep the sanctuary lamp lit while the Blessed Sacrament is in the tabernacle?
The sanctuary lamp is required, and it is no minor thing: it signifies the sacramental presence of almighty God.
May laymen take part in a dramatic reading of the Gospel during Lent?
Ordinarily only a deacon, priest or bishop proclaims the Gospel at Mass. The exception is the Passion in Holy Week, when the laity may join in, though a priest must read Christ's words. Dramatizing the Gospel on the Sundays of Lent has no support in Church documents.
How many times a day can one receive Holy Communion?
Twice. One who has already received may receive again the same day only at a Mass in which he participates, with an exception for danger of death, when receiving again is strongly encouraged.
How did the Church decide that seven is the age of reason and of First Communion?
It didn't, exactly. The Church does not define the age of reason as seven; it simply does not bind children under seven by merely ecclesiastical laws. First Communion has no age limit: children need the use of reason, sufficient understanding of the Eucharist and proper disposition.
May a person who is divorced but not remarried receive Communion?
Yes, if the divorce involved no sin on their part, for civil divorce can be necessary and an innocent spouse may be its victim. Otherwise, as with any serious sin, they should go to confession first. Those who remarry invalidly may not receive while that situation lasts.
May our priest replace the foot washing with hand washing on Holy Thursday?
No. Hand washing is not part of the prescribed rite and is not allowed; it is an invention. The rite reflects Jesus washing his disciples' feet, not their hands.
Can the priest pour the Precious Blood into other chalices after the consecration?
No. Several chalices may be used if one is not enough, but pouring the Blood of Christ from one vessel to another after the consecration is to be completely avoided.
Read in depth
The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life
The Second Vatican Council called the Eucharist "the source and summit of the Christian life." This long read traces the idea from the Passover lamb to your parish altar.
What the Early Church Believed: The Real Presence
The Real Presence means Jesus is literally and wholly present — body, blood, soul and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine. Scripture states it plainly, and the early Church Fathers read those passages literally, as even Protestant historian J. N. D. Kelly acknowledges.
The Eucharist: Christ in the Eucharist
The Eucharist is the "source and summit of the Christian life" (CCC 1324). It is not a symbol: at the consecration the substance of bread and wine becomes the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ, while the appearances remain. Jesus taught this in John 6, Paul confirmed it, and the early Church believed it unanimously.
What the Early Church Believed: The Sacrifice of the Mass
The Eucharist is a true sacrifice, not merely a commemorative meal. The first Christians understood Jesus' "Do this in remembrance of me" as "Offer this as my memorial offering," saw the Eucharist as the pure offering foretold by Malachi, and proclaimed it a sacrifice from the Didache onward.
The Institution of the Mass
At the Last Supper Christ instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross until he comes again (*Sacrosanctum Concilium* 47). The Mass is not a re-crucifixion; Christ does not die again. It re-presents the one sacrifice of Calvary in an unbloody manner and applies its fruits.
Who Can Receive Holy Communion?
In the Eucharist we receive the very body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ. To receive worthily, a Catholic must be in a state of grace, have confessed any mortal sin, believe in transubstantiation, keep the one-hour fast, and not be under censure. Non-Catholics ordinarily may not receive, with defined exceptions.
Getting to Mass
Getting to Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation is vital for remaining in God's grace and growing spiritually. Catholics should prepare to receive Communion by confessing any serious sins first.
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction
Eucharistic adoration is prayer before Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed in a monstrance. It flows from the dogma of the Real Presence. Benediction concludes adoration with hymns, a blessing with the Sacrament, and the Divine Praises.
Corpus Christi
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ celebrates the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, in which his one sacrifice is made present at every Mass. It falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, transferred in the United States to the following Sunday. It began through St. Juliana of Liège and was made universal by Urban IV in 1264.
In Scripture
- John 6:51-58
- Luke 22:19-20
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
- Matthew 26:26-28
- John 6:53-56
- John 6:51-69
- 1 Corinthians 10:16
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
- Matthew 26:40
- John 1:14
- Luke 24:13-35
- Acts 2:42
- 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
- 1 Corinthians 11:22, 33-34
- 1 Corinthians 11:26
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
- Luke 22:18
- John 19:14
- John 19:31
- Luke 22:15-16
- Matthew 7:28-29
- John 6:54
- Mark 3:1-6
- Genesis 41:43
- Esther 3:2
- John 17:1
- Luke 22:41
- Mark 1:40
- Mark 10:17
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
- Revelation 21:27
- 1 Corinthians 11:27
- Mark 14:22-23
- John 6:51
- John 13:12-15
- John 13:6-10
- Matthew 20:28
- John 6:35-69
- Luke 22:14-20
- Exodus 12
- John 6:32-71
- John 6:55
- Proverbs 9:2
- Matthew 26:26
- Mark 9:21-29
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
- 1 Corinthians 10:17
- 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
- John 6:47-58
- Revelation 19:9
- John 6:30
- John 6:51-52
- John 6:60
- John 6:64
- John 6:66
- John 6:35
- Micah 3:3
- John 10:9
- John 15:1
- John 6:57
- John 6:63
- 1 Corinthians 15:17-18
- John 8:15-16
- John 6:37
- John 6:44-45
- John 6:65
- 1 Corinthians 11:29
- Luke 22:19
- 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
- Malachi 1:10-11
- Matthew 5:23-24
- Malachi 1:11
- Malachi 1:14
- Ecclesiastes 2:24
- Mark 14:22
- 1 Corinthians 11:24
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28
- 1 Corinthians 11:29-30
- Genesis 14:18
- Psalm 110
- Numbers 10:10
- Hebrews 9:22
- 1 John 1:7
- Hebrews 9:19-21
- Exodus 24:6-8
- Hebrews 13:8
- Romans 12:1
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- John 6:53-58
- Matthew 5:28-29
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
- Galatians 5:19-21
- Mark 14:22-24
- Romans 8:28
- 1 Kings 19:11-13
- Leviticus 16:1-2
- Leviticus 16:34
- Luke 23:44-45
- Matthew 6:33
- Revelation 5:11-14
- John 14:27
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- Genesis 14:18-20
- Hebrews 5:1
- Hebrews 5:7-10
- Matthew 28:18-20
Key terms
- Adoration
- The worship due to God alone, acknowledging him as Creator and Lord; in Catholic usage it also names prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
- Eucharist
- The sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, truly present under the appearances of bread and wine, and the Mass in which it is celebrated.
- Transubstantiation
- The change of the whole substance of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ at the consecration, while the appearances remain.