THE SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST

The Eucharist (or Mass) is one of the three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation together constitute full initiation.)

It is the MOST important prayer and action of the Church and for the individual Catholic.

REAL PRESENCE

CH

RI S

T IS T

RU

LY AN

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S UB

S TAN

T I AL LY P

RE S E N

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The real presence refers to the miracle of Christ’s presence under the species of bread and wine. The bread and the wine becomes the body and blood of Christ in a substantial way.

The word “transubstantiation” refers to the substantial presence of Christ in the bread and wine even though the “accidents” or appearance does not change. St. Thomas Aquinas coined the term.

THE EUCHARIST IS OFTENREFERRED TO AS HOLY COMMUNION?

We become members of the one body of Christ when we eat of the one bread and wine.

In the sharing of Eucharist, we become one in Christ.

THE WORD “EUCHARIST”

Means “to give thanks”As we gather for the celebration, each to his/her proper role, enters fully into the Mass, because it is both the right and duty of the baptized person to do so.

GIVING THANKS….

In our lives, how do we show thanks?

What words do we use?Facial expressions, body language?

Actions?Thoughts, feelings?

EUCHARIS

T IS

….. Full, active

participation in Mass is:

a right because the Eucharist, provides the nourishment and grace we need to live out our

baptismal call.

It is a duty because without the Eucharist,

we cannot fully live the life to which God calls

us.

LITURGY IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Constitution on Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) is the Vatican II document that legislates liturgy.

The Roman Missal outlines the rubrics, ritual prayers, gestures and postures of the Church when gathered for ritual prayer.

THE W

ORD “LIT

URGY” The word “liturgy”

originally meant:1. a public work2. a service in the name of/ on behalf of the people.

The Christian meaning of the word “liturgy” is “participation in the work of God”. (CCC 1069)

LITURGY IS

• Public•Communal

•RitualPrayer of the

Church.

LITURGY IS WORSHIP

Worship was the first area to be considered at the Second Vatican Council.

Worship is the way in which we praise and give glory to God.

Worship is foundational to all the work of the Church; it is the MOST important action of the Church. Everything else flows from and toward worship.

FOUR IDEALS FROM VATICAN II

1. The Christian life is to be lived with vigor

2. The Church needs to change to meet the needs of the world – The Church brings Christ to all people, all times, all cultures

3. The Church is not united, but unity is desired

4. The Church has much to offer the world

EUCHARIST…

is source and summit of Christian living – source, because we receive the grace we need to live the life to which God calls us, and summit because at Mass we have the most intimate connection with Christ that is possible in this life.

It is a sign and instrument of unity.• Eucharist both demonstrates unity

and makes unity possible.

CHRIST IS TRULY PRESENT AT MASS IN FOUR WAYS:

The gathered assemblyThe Word proclaimedThe person of the PriestThe consecrated bread and

wine

STRUCTURE OF MASS

Liturgy of WordLiturgy of Eucharist

GATHERING RITES: A TIME FOR UNITY

Coming from our individual lives, bound by our common baptism, we form the Body of Christ, the Assembly.

Penitential Rite acknowledges individual responsibility to the community.

LITURGY OF THE WORD: A TIME TO LISTENShare the stories of faith:First ReadingPsalmSecond ReadingGospelHomily

LITURGY OF THE WORD

In Scripture, it is God who speaks directly to us, individually and as a community

Dei Verbum (Constitution on Divine Revelation) defines Catholic understanding of Scripture.

Three-year cycle for Sunday Lectionary (2 year-cycle for daily readings)

Homily opens Scriptures for the gathered assembly.

TRANSITIONING FROM WORD TO EUCHARIST

Recitation of Creed (Nicene or Apostles)

Prayers of the Faithful

LITURGY OF EUCHARIST

Collection of gifts

Presentation of giftsEarly Church practices contained in current prayers and gestures

We place ourselves, along with the bread and wine, on the altar, asking that we, too, be transformed.

LITURGY OF EUCHARIST

Eucharistic Prayer

Our Father

Sign of Peace

Sharing in meal: we become what we consume: Real Presence of Christ

Sending to bring Christ to the world, to do the essential work of the laity: to make the world holy.

THE EFFECTS OF EUCHARISTAugments our union with Christ

Increases unity within the Church and among other Christians

Forgives venial sins and preserves us from future mortal sins

Commits us to the poor

Strengthens us to overcome the pain and burden of everyday life

Grace (Holiness)

Power to love and to live like Christ

Eternal life

FORM OF THE SACRAMENT

The Consecration of the Bread and wine occurs when the priest says the words of institution, given to us by Christ:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.

Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for thei sis the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of a new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.

MATTER OF THE SACRAMENT

• Wheat bread• Wine made of grapes

MINISTER OF THE SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST• Nobody says Mass like a

priest.• Priests, bishops (the Pope is

the Bishop of Rome.)

REQUIREMENTS OF THE SACRAMENT

• In the Roman Rite, reaching the age of reason (in Eastern rite, at time of baptism.)

• Being in a state of grace (no mortal sins)

• One-hour fast from food and drink (except water) before receiving

• Must be received at least once a year, during the Easter season.

WHY DO WE….

At tables, surface questions -

WHY do we do…. at Mass?

WHY don’t we do……at Mass?