1. Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist
CHAPTER 13

2. Eucharist: giving Thanks
OLD TESTAMENT ROOTS
The Passover Lamb
Manna in the wilderness
Todah – thank offering
Instituted by Christ
The Last Supper
A pledge of his love
The New Covenant

3. The Real Presence
Gospel writers use “to be” –this is a literal connotation, not a metaphorical one
“Do this in memory of me” gives Apostles authority to transform bread and wine into his body and blood
Substance is changed by Holy Spirit acting through Christ. The Eucharist is Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine.

4. The Real Presence
Our human senses perceive bread and wine, but we know through faith that Christ is truly present.
The change of bread and wine is referred to as transubstantiation (CCC#1376)
Really, truly, substantially present
Sts. Ignatius of Antioch and Iranaeus of Lyons

5. The Real Presence
Let’s watch a summary from a Youth Minister to recap:
Gdw

6. Miracles of the Eucharist
Lanciano, Italy: 8th century
Bread and wine changed to flesh and blood
Flesh has been tested; 1981 determined to be heart tissue
Bolsena, Italy: 13th century
Blood seeped from the host
Host and linen enshrined in Cathedral

7. Miracles of the Eucharist
Amsterdam, Holland: 14th century
Viaticum- Communion given on deathbed
Unburned and cold to touch after being placed in fire
Siena, Italy: 18th century
Ciborium with hosts stolen
Returned and un-deteriorated 300 years later
These miracles are private revelations, and not added to the Deposit of Faith

8. Celebration of Eucharist
A Holy Sacrifice
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass re-presents Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross
Christ’s sacrifice was perfect, only needing to be offered once
Eucharist is a “memorial” and a re-presentation
We are able to participate in Christ’s Sacrifice in the Mass

9. Celebration of Eucharist
Celebrated as part of Mass.
Outside of Mass, adoration, Benediction, and Eucharistic processions allow Catholics to worship the Real Presence of Jesus
May be received outside of Mass by the sick, hospitalized, homebound, or incarcerated.

10. Who can Receive? One must:
Be a baptized Catholic
Be in a state of grace
Be free of any awareness of mortal sin
Be prepared to understand Church teaching
Approach sacrament with reverence
Fast from food/drink for 1 hour
First Communicants need instruction and to have received Sacrament of Reconciliation

11. Who can Receive?
Since the Eucharist is a sign of union (communion), the Church does not permit reception by non-Christians and separated brethren
Would represent union that does not exist
This is the same reason Catholics shouldn’t receive communion in Protestant churches
Intercommunion between Catholics and Orthodox is not permitted

12. Matter, Form, Minister
Matter: Bread made from wheat flour, wine from grapes
In the Latin rite, bread must be UNLEAVENED
Form: the words of Consecration pronounced by priest acting in persona Christi
Minister: priests, bishops, deacons (distribution), extraordinary ministers (lay people)

13. Structure of Mass Two Parts
Liturgy of the Word: 1st half of Mass, including all prayers and scripture readings until the intercessions/petitions.
Liturgy of the Eucharist: 2nd half of Mass, preparation of the altar/gifts, prayers, Consecration, peace, Holy Communion, and Concluding Rite.

14. Liturgical Tour through the Bible
The Liturgical Year directs our scripture passages used during Mass; cover most of the Bible in a year just by attending Mass regularly
Advent-Christmas
Ordinary Time
Lent-Easter
The Proper of Saints (Feast Days)

15. Rite of Holy Communion Christ becomes present in the Eucharist
Frequent Communion is encouraged, but only required once a year.
Latin rite receives Communion just as we do at Mass on Tuesdays.
The Eastern Rite does it a little differently.

16. Eastern Reception of Holy Communion
Use leavened bread instead of unleavened
Unleavened hosts offer both species through intinction, dipping the host into the chalice before consumption
With leavened bread, the procedure is a little different. A soaked cube of the consecrated bread is placed in the communicant’s mouth along with the priest’s statement.

17. Undistributed Hosts
Those not consumed during Mass are reserved in the tabernacle
Can be used for communion rites outside of Mass
Christ is present there (in the Tabernacle)
Adoration; Time in the Presence of Christ

18. An Ending or Beginning?
Conclusion is a Commission: the Mass sends us forth to bring the mystery of Christ into the world
Serve others and bring them to faith

19. Effects of the Eucharist
The spiritual food converts us into Christ
Graces received in the Eucharist
Strengthens and increases our union with Christ
Reinforces unity in the Church
Increases graces and virtues in the soul
Pardons venial sins
Helps preserve us from sin, strengthening us against temptation through grace
Decreases temporal punishment due for sins committed (reducing our time in Purgatory)

20. Spiritual Communion
A prayer in which we ask Christ to make himself present in our souls in a spiritual manner
Spiritual communion may be received as often as we say the prayer
An example of this prayer is found on p. 301

21. Transformed by the Mass
Called to fully conscious, active participation
The Sunday Obligation
A precept of the Church
Mortal sin without serious reason
HDO’s (10/6)
Place of worship: The building becomes a visible sign of the Church and therefore of Christ himself
A symbolic passing from sinful world to new world of heaven

22. Preparing for Mass How to develop proper dispositions
Be free from mortal sin
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Read the readings in advance
Arrive early –prayer and sacramentals
PARTICIPATE!!!

23. Adoration Silent adoration before the tabernacle
Exposition/Benediction
Perpetual adoration (chapels)
Spiritual communion
Eucharistic processions (Corpus Christi)

24. Pope Pius X and the Eucharist
Many devout Catholics considered themselves unworthy and received the Sacrament infrequently.
He encouraged frequent, even daily, reception of Holy Communion
He lowered the age of First Communion
He was canonized in 1954 and celebrates his feast day on August 21.