Eucharist

Sacraments – Eucharist

Eucharist allows us to taste the body and blood of eternal life and be reminded of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

Jesus said: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, they will live for ever; . . .  whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and . . . abides in me, and I in them” (Jn 6:51, 54, 56).

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me”. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20)

The Eucharist, with the transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, is understood by the Catholic Church to mean the real presence of Christ´s body and blood, given in sacrifice once and for all on Calvary but renewed in this way every day as food for those who attach themselves to him and seek to live from his life. 

The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life. Its celebration always includes the proclamation of the Word of God, thanksgiving to God the Father for all his goodness, the consecration of bread and wine, and participation in communion by receiving the Lord’s body and blood (CCC 1408).