1. How do you ‘feed’ the world?

2. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. In the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself. St. Augustine of Hippo counseled his people: ‘Go and become what you receive, the Body of Christ in the world.’ Blessed Pope John Paul II taught: ‘All who take part in the Eucharist [are called to] be committed to changing their lives and making them in a certain way completely “Eucharistic”. How can you follow St. Augustine’s and Blessed Pope John Paul II’s advice?

3. How do you ‘feed’ the world? The Fruits of Holy Communion are the sacramental graces, or effects, of receiving Holy Communion. Holy Communion: increases our union with Christ; separates us from sin; offers us strength to preserve us from mortal sin; expands the life of the Church; commits us to care for the poor.

4. How do you ‘feed’ the world? Pope John Paul II described the Eucharist as ‘a sacrament for humanity’ that calls us ‘to work for peace....’ (On the Eucharist and Its Relationship to the Church, no. 20). The graces of the Eucharist strengthen us to work to alleviate the poverty, both spiritual and physical, that racks the world and enslaves people.

5. The power of Christ’s presence At the Last Supper Jesus addressed the disciples’ concern that he would no longer be ‘there’ for them’. Jesus assured them, ‘I will not leave you orphaned’ (John 14:18). Jesus fulfills the promise and commitment of his presence in a unique way in the Eucharist. As we consume the consecrated bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ, we encounter Jesus.

6. The power of Christ’s presence Ecumenism: The efforts among all Christians to bring about the fulfillment of Christ’s will for the unity of his followers. The Eucharist is the primary source for the reconciliation and unity of Christians. Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion renews, strengthens and deepens the unity and solidarity of the faithful to be the one Body of Christ, the Church. What can you do to work to bring about unity among Christians?

7. Temptation can block us from living in right and loving relationships. Sin impedes the growth of love of God, neighbor and self. Holy Communion separates us from sin:  Our venial sins are forgiven.  We are strengthened in our battle against mortal sin.  Receiving Holy Communion strengthens our ability to live the Law of Love. The sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is the ultimate sign and expression of divine and human love. The power of Christ’s presence

8. Preparing for the Eucharist We prepare our heart.... We need to make sure that our heart is truly open and ready to receive this gift of love. Examining our conscience helps us prepare to open our heart to God. We need to be in a state of grace, or free from grave sin, before receiving Holy Communion. Receiving the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation opens our heart to the love of God and strengthens us to share that love with others.

9. Preparing for the Eucharist We prepare our mind.... We take time before the beginning of Mass to focus our mind on what we are about to do. We ask the Holy Spirit to heighten our awareness that it is Christ, the Bread of Life, whom we will receive. Faith in the Real Presence, that the Eucharist is truly and really the Body and Blood of Christ, is essential to our readiness to receive the Eucharist.

10. Preparing for the Eucharist We prepare our body.... The Church requires that we fast from food and drink for one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Fasting heightens our awareness of God at work in our life. This short period of fasting serves to heighten our hunger and our desire to receive the Bread of Life.

11. Participation in the Eucharist When we take part in the Liturgy we need to be: Alive with fire and the Holy Spirit Alert as a person of prayer Awake to the reality that at Mass we encounter Christ

12. Participation in the Eucharist The mnemonic ALTAR: a guide to prayer after Communion Adoration: Kneel in silent adoration and gratitude. Welcome the Real Presence of Jesus. Love: Express your love for Jesus; ask him to send his Spirit to kindle the same spark of love in your heart for others that he has for you. Talk: Open your mind and heart in conversation with Jesus. Ask: Acknowledge the blessings you have received; ask for the graces that you most need. Repent/Resolve: Ask for forgiveness and the strength to make and keep resolutions to live as a disciple of Jesus.

13. St. Peter Julian Eymard is known as the Apostle of the Eucharist because of his deep devotion to Jesus in Holy Communion and for leading people to recognize and rediscover the significance of the Eucharist in their daily lives. A Marist priest, he founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men in 1856. Two years later he co-founded the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, a contemplative community for women. Fr. Eymard was named a saint of the Church in 1962. St. Peter Julian Eymard (1811–68): Apostle of the Eucharist