The Holy Eucharist

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had said the blessing, he broke it and giving it to his disciples, he said: “Take it and eat, this is my body. Then taking the cup, after giving thanks, he handed it to them saying, ‘drink from this, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” Matthew 26-28.

What is the Eucharist?

The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life.” The other sacraments, and indeed the whole mission of the Church, are bound up in the Eucharist and are orientated towards it. The Eucharist is at the heart of our faith. The term ‘Eucharist’ originates from the Greek word ‘Eucharistia’ meaning thanksgiving.

It is the sacrament that completes the journey of initiation and when one can fully participate in the Eucharist by receiving Holy Communion.

In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead.

Symbols of the Eucharist

Bread – Wheat is grown, transformed by human hands to make bread the staple food of life.

Wine – Grapes are grown and crushed, transformed by human work to make wine. Wine symbolises joy and celebration.

Bread and wine symbolise the creator who gives life, the one who nourishes us.

At the last Supper Jesus gave himself in the form of bread and wine

What happens during Eucharist

The Eucharist is celebration within a ritual of the church commonly known as Mass. The Eucharist is the holy moment which includes the consecration of the body and blood of Christ.

The Eucharist includes:

The sharing of the Word from scripture
Offering of prayers
Doing what Jesus did at the Last Supper taking, blessing, breaking and sharing his body and blood
Being sent forth to live and proclaim the Good News.

St Augustine

St Augustine once stated in a sermon:

“behold what you are, become what you receive.’

Jesus gave himself on the cross in ultimate sacrifice. A sacrifice made present in the celebration of Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Where we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, we enter this one eternal sacrifice. We give thanks for our salvation in Christ. We receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion and become like him. We are sent forth as the body of Christ to share the presence of scarified and risen Jesus through the actions of our daily lives.

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not fellowship in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a fellowship in the body of Christ? As there is one bread, so we, though many, are one body, for we all share in the one bread.” 1 Corinthains 10, 16-17

power of the holy eucharist stained glass window

Fruits of Holy Communion

Deepens our union with Christ
Nourishes our spiritual life
Food for life’s journey
Separates us from sin
Preserves us from moral failure
Calls us into communion with one another in our parish, our diocese and the universal church.
Strengthens our charity
Commits us to reaching out to one another, especially the poor and disadvantages
Seeks the unity of Christians

Reconnection with the Eucharist

It is not uncommon for adults, baptised Catholics, especially members of the Defence Force, who have moved regularly on postings, at some point in their lives desire to reconnect with the Church and seek to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. But perhaps wish to know how to take the first step.

If your local Catholic Chaplain, or the Chancery of the Military Diocese can assist you, please reach out. It would be our pleasure to assist putting you in contact with a local Catholic community who would welcome you.