The Holy Eucharist  

In The Catholic Church

 

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. At the Last Supper, Christ Jesus told his disciples as he lifted the bread, "Take and eat; this is my body." Similarly, Christ lifted the chalice, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood.”

During Mass, we continue what Christ taught his disciples, knowing that the bread and wine are transformed into the true presence of Christ. The Mass is a feast where we remember Christ’s sacrifice and encounter his real presence in the Eucharist. As Christ promised his church, it is in receiving him that we will truly live.

In addition to receiving Christ in the Eucharist, the church offers the opportunity to spend extended time in the presence of Christ through the practice of Eucharistic Adoration. In adoration, the faithful have the opportunity to pray and worship Christ in the Eucharist. Some parishes offer Eucharistic Adoration occasionally or daily, and others even offer Perpetual Adoration.