The Eucharist, Source and Summit

The night before he died, Jesus took bread and said, “This is my body.” He took the cup and said, “This is my blood.” In John 6 he insisted, “my flesh is true food.” Many disciples walked away, but Jesus did not soften his words.

The Church believes that in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ is truly, really and substantially present: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity (CCC 1374). The bread and wine still look and taste the same, but their substance has become Christ. This is called transubstantiation.

The Mass is not just a meal or a memory. It makes present the one sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, offered once for all (CCC 1366–1367).

That is why the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Everything in the Church flows from it and leads to it.

Receiving well:

• Fast for one hour before Communion (canon 919).
• If you are aware of a grave sin, go to Confession first (CCC 1385).
• Receive with reverence, answering “Amen”.
• Afterwards, spend a moment in thanksgiving.

The Church asks us to receive Communion at least once a year, in the Easter season, and encourages frequent reception (CCC 1389).