Eucharist

The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the only Sacrament of Initiation that Catholics celebrate again and again (after preparation for and first reception of the sacrament). The Eucharist is a memorial, a meal, and a sacrifice. Another name for the sacrament is the Mass. In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we receive Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, in Holy Communion and are nourished by the Word of God. The grace first received at Baptism grows in those celebrating the sacrament and they are more closely joined to Christ and one another as the Body of Christ, the Church, and strengthened to serve God and care for the needs of others.

Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper. In anticipation of His Death on the Cross, Jesus gave His Apostles – whom He made the first priests – His Body and Blood to eat and drink. And because Jesus wanted all His people for all time to eat and drink of this heavenly food, He commanded them to continue to make present and real this Eucharistic sacrifice. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus instructed His Apostles. Whenever we celebrate Mass, we do so at Christ’s command, and Jesus is made real and present to us.