It is the greatest gift that Christ has given: the Holy Eucharist. In fact, the Eucharist is of such great importance, that it is part of the Church’s worship every single day of the year; the Sacrament of the Eucharist is thus properly called the “source and summit” of Christian life (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324-1327). The importance of the Eucharist cannot be over estimated and for this reason it is often called “the Blessed Sacrament” and “the Sacrament of Sacraments” (CCC 1328-1332).
The Eucharist is the real Most Sacred Body and Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ speaks at great length about the coming of the Eucharist especially in the Holy Gospel according to Saint John. After multiplying a small amount of bread and even less fish to feed thousands, He speaks to the people about the Bread of Life – another name for the Eucharist. He says “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51).
Later, celebrating the Last Supper, Christ consecrates the very first Eucharist with the words that ordained Catholic priests who confect the sacrament still use today to consecrate the Eucharist: take and eat, this is my body; take and drink, this is my blood (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-26, and Luke 22:14-20).
Check out all the times we are celebrating the Eucharist by looking at our Mass Times and in our Events Calendar.
