The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. In this sacrament, Jesus Christ is truly present — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine. Through the Eucharist, Christ gives Himself to us as spiritual nourishment and unites us more closely to Him and to one another.
At the Last Supper, Jesus entrusted this sacrament to the Church when He said:
“This is my Body, which will be given up for you… This is the chalice of my Blood.”
— Luke 22:19–20
Every time the Mass is celebrated, Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is made present, and the faithful are invited to share in this sacred mystery.
What the Eucharist Is
The Eucharist is:
- A Sacrifice — the memorial of Christ’s saving death and resurrection
- A Sacrament — in which we receive Christ Himself
- A Communion — uniting us with Christ and with the Church
Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of the priest, the bread and wine are transformed into the true Body and Blood of Christ, a mystery known as transubstantiation.
Why the Eucharist Matters
The Holy Eucharist:
- Strengthens our union with Christ
- Nourishes our spiritual life
- Forgives venial sins and strengthens us against future sin
- Deepens our unity with the Church
- Calls us to live lives of love and service
Receiving Holy Communion
Catholics who have been properly prepared and are in a state of grace are invited to receive Holy Communion. Preparation includes belief in the Real Presence of Christ, fasting as required by the Church, and reconciliation through Confession if one is aware of serious sin.
Children usually receive their First Holy Communion after a period of catechetical preparation, while adults receive the Eucharist as part of their initiation into the Church.
A Call to Become What We Receive
In receiving the Eucharist, we are called not only to encounter Christ, but to become more like Him — to carry His love into the world through our words, actions, and service.
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”
— John 6:56