Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mysteries › Section Two of Part Two: The Seven Sacraments of the Church ›› CHAPTER 1: The Sacraments of Christian Initiation ››› Article 3: The Sacrament of the Eucharist

› IN BRIEF

Questions and Answers

1317. When did Christ institute the Eucharist? (CCC 1323) Christ instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper.
1318. Who says that the Eucharist is source and summit of the Christian life? (CCC 1324) Lumen Gentium 11 says that the Eucharist is source and summit of the Christian life.
Lumen Gentium is a Vatican II document, the Apostolic Constitution on the Church.
1319. Why is the Eucharist the centre of the other sacraments? (CCC 1324) The Eucharist is the centre of the other sacraments, because it contains the whole spiritual good of the Church: Christ Himself.
1320. What is the Eucharist? (CCC 1325) The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being.
1321. How does St Irenaeus connect the Eucharist to the Christian way of thinking? (CCC 1327) St Irenaeus († 200) connects the Eucharist to our Christian way of thinking by saying that:
1. our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist
2. the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.
St Irenaeus of Lyons (France) is one of the early Church Fathers.
1322. What is the sacrament of the Eucharist called in the CCC? (CCC 1328-1332) In the CCC the sacrament of the Eucharist is called by sixteen names: Eucharist, Lord’s Supper, Breaking of Bread, Synaxis, Memorial, Holy Sacrifice, Divine Liturgy, Sacred Mysteries, Blessed Sacrament, Holy Communion, Holy Things, Bread of angels, Bread from heaven, Medicine of immortality, Viaticum, Holy Mass.
1323. Why does the sacrament of the Eucharist have so many names? (CCC 1328) The sacrament of the Eucharist has so many names because of its inexhaustible richness.
1324. Why is the Eucharist called Eucharist? (CCC 1328) The Eucharist is called Eucharist because it is an action of thanksgiving to God.
The Greek word “eucharistein” means “to give thanks”.
1325. Why is the Eucharist called the Lord’s Supper? (CCC 1329) The Eucharist is called the Lord’s Supper, because it was instituted at the Last Supper, which Christ took with His disciples on the eve of His Passion.
1326. Why is the Eucharist called the Breaking of Bread? (CCC 1329) The Eucharist is called the Breaking of Bread, because Christ used the rite of breaking bread, part of the Jewish Passover meal (Ex 12), in order to express that all who eat the One Broken Bread, enter into communion with Christ.
Among the first Christians in Jerusalem the Eucharist was called the Breaking of Bread.
1327. Why is the Eucharist called Synaxis? (CCC 1329) The Eucharist is called Synaxis (Greek: assembly), because it is celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful.
1328. Why is the Eucharist called Holy Sacrifice? (CCC 1330) The Eucharist is called Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ and includes the Church’s offering.
1329. Why is the Eucharist called Holy Communion? (CCC 1331) The Eucharist is called Holy Communion, because by it we unite ourselves with Christ.
1330. Why is the Eucharist called Holy Mass? (CCC 1332) The Eucharist is called Holy Mass (Latin: Missa), because it concludes with the sending forth (Latin: missio) of the faithful.
1331. What is the OT locus classicus for the Eucharist in the economy of salvation? (CCC 1333) The Old Testament locus classicus for the Eucharist in the economy of salvation is Gen 14 that mentions the king-priest Melchizedek, who “brought out bread and wine”.
1332. What significance do bread and wine receive in the Exodus? (CCC 1334) In the Exodus bread and wine receive the following significance:
1. the bread remembers the hasty liberation of Israel from Egypt and the manna in the desert
2. the wine adds joy and an eschatological dimension.
1333. Which miracles of Christ prefigure the superabundance of the Eucharist? (CCC 1335) Christ’s miracles of the multiplication of the loaves prefigure the superabundance of the Eucharist.
1334. How did the first announcement of the Eucharist affect the disciples? (CCC 1336) The first announcement of the Eucharist divided the disciples (Jn 6).
1335. Why did Christ institute the Eucharist? (CCC 1337) Christ instituted the Eucharist in order:
1. to leave to the Church a pledge of His love
2. never to depart from His own
3. to make the Church share in His Passover.
1336. Where in the NT is an account of the institution of the Eucharist found? (CCC 1338) An account of the institution of the Eucharist is found in the New Testament:
1. in the synoptic Gospels (Mt, Mk, Lk)
2. in St Paul (1 Cor).
1337. In what context did Christ give His Body and Blood to His disciples? (CCC 1339) Christ gave His Body and Blood to His disciples in the context of a Passover meal when He celebrated with His disciples the Last Supper.
1338. How did Christ give to the Passover meal its definitive meaning? (CCC 1340) Christ gave to the Passover meal its definitive meaning by explaining it as His “passing over” to the Father by His death and Resurrection.
1339. What does Christ’s word “Do this in memory of me” command? (CCC 1341) Christ’s word “Do this in memory of me” commands not only the remembering of Christ but also the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist (“do this”).
1340. How was the Eucharist called among the first Christians in Jerusalem? (CCC 1342) Among the first Christians in Jerusalem the Eucharist was called the Breaking of Bread.
1341. When above all is the Eucharist celebrated? (CCC 1343) The Eucharist is celebrated above all on Sundays.
1342. Where is the oldest witness for the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist found? (CCC 1345) The oldest witness for the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist is found in the writings of St Justin Martyr.
St Justin Martyr (around AD 150) is the first of the seven Early Church Fathers.
1343. What eight parts of the Mass does St Justin Martyr list? (CCC 1345) St Justin Martyr lists the following eight parts of the Mass: (1) readings, (2) homily, (3) general intercessions, (4) kiss of peace, (5) offertory, (6) Eucharistic prayer, (7) final Amen, (8) distribution of Holy Communion.
1344. What are the two great parts of the Eucharist? (CCC 1346) The two great parts of the Eucharist are:
1. the Liturgy of the Word
2. the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
1345. Who is the one who invisibly celebrates every Eucharist? (CCC 1348) Christ is the one who invisibly celebrates every Eucharist.
1346. Why does the priest represent Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist? (CCC 1348) The priest represents Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist, because in it he acts “in the person of Christ the Head” (Latin: in persona Christi capitis).
1347. What are the parts of the Liturgy of the Word? (CCC 1349) The parts of the Liturgy of the Word are:
1. the readings from the Bible
2. the homily
3. the general intercessions.
1348. What is the Offertory? (CCC 1350) The Offertory is the presentation of the offerings when bread and wine are brought to the altar.
1349. What is brought to the altar together with bread and wine? (CCC 1351) The collection containing gifts to share with the needy is brought to the altar together with bread and wine.
1350. What is the anaphora? (CCC 1352) The anaphora is the Eucharistic Prayer, which contains the words of Consecration, the heart and summit of the Eucharist.
1351. What is the preface? (CCC 1352) The preface is the thanksgiving to the Father that immediately precedes the anaphora.
1352. What is the epiclesis? (CCC 1353) The epiclesis is the moment when the priest calls the Holy Spirit upon the Eucharistic gifts.
1353. What is the institution narrative? (CCC 1353) The institution narrative is the words of Consecration that make Christ’s Body and Blood sacramentally present under the species of bread and wine.
1354. What is the anamnesis in Mass after the words of Consecration? (CCC 1354) The anamnesis (Greek: remembrance) after the words of Consecration is the part of Mass when the Church remembers Christ’s glorious deeds and presents the sacrifice of His Son to the Father.
1355. What is the function of the intercessions in the Eucharistic prayer? (CCC 1354) The function of the intercessions in the Eucharistic prayer is to indicate that Holy Mass is celebrated in communion with the whole Church (living, dead, clergy, lay people).
1356. What three conditions for taking part in the Eucharist does St Justin list? (CCC 1355) St Justin (around AD 150) lists the following three conditions for taking part in the Eucharist:
1. to believe
2. to be baptised
3. to live in keeping with Christ’s teaching.
1357. In what respect is the Eucharistic Sacrifice thanksgiving, memorial, presence? (CCC 1358) The Eucharistic Sacrifice is:
1. Christ’s thanksgiving through Christ to the Father
2. the sacrificial memorial of Christ
3. Presence of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1358. For what does the Church thank the Father in the Eucharist? (CCC 1360) In the Eucharist the Church thanks the Father for:
1. the creation
2. the redemption
3. the sanctification.
1359. Why is the Eucharist a sacrificial memorial in respect to Christ? (CCC 1362) The Eucharist is a sacrificial memorial in respect to Christ, because it is the making present and the sacramental offering of His unique sacrifice on the cross.
1360. What is a memorial in the sense of Sacred Scripture? (CCC 1363) In the sense of Sacred Scripture a memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men.
In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real.
1361. What is the new meaning of “memorial” in the New Testament? (CCC 1364) The new meaning of “memorial” in the New Testament is:
1. a commemoration of Christ’s Passover
2. its making present.
1362. How do the words of Consecration make plain that the Eucharist is a sacrifice? (CCC 1365) The words of Consecration make plain that the Eucharist is a sacrifice by saying: “This is my body which is given up for you” and “This cup which is poured out for you.”
1363. Why is the Eucharist a sacrifice? (CCC 1366) The Eucharist is a sacrifice, because:
1. it makes present the sacrifice of the cross
2. it is its memorial until the end of the world
3. it applies its fruits for the forgiveness of sins.
1364. Why are the sacrifice of the cross and of the Eucharist one single sacrifice? (CCC 1367) The sacrifice of the cross and of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice, because:
1. the victim is one and the same
2. the same Christ now offers through the priests who then offered Himself on the cross.
The manner of offering the sacrifice is different: in a bloody manner on the cross, in an unbloody manner on the altar.
1365. Why is the Eucharist also the sacrifice of the Church? (CCC 1368) The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of the Church, because in it the sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of His Body, the Church.
1366. Why is the pope named in every celebration of the Eucharist? (CCC 1369) The pope is named in every celebration of the Eucharist, because he holds the ministry of Peter in the Church.
The “ministry of Peter” is expressed in Mt 16:18: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.”
1367. Why is the local bishop named in every celebration of the Eucharist? (CCC 1369) The local bishop is named in every celebration of the Eucharist to signify his presidency over the diocese.
1368. Who, apart from the faithful still on earth, are united in the Eucharist? (CCC 1370) Apart from the faithful still on earth, those already in the glory of heaven (= the saints) are united in the Eucharist.
1369. Why is the Eucharist offered for the faithful departed who still are in Purgatory? (CCC 1371) The Eucharist is offered for the faithful departed who still are in Purgatory so that they may enter into the light and peace of Christ.
1370. In what five ways is Christ present in His Church? (CCC 1373) Christ is present in His Church:
1. in His word
2. in His Church’s prayer
3. in the poor, the sick and the imprisoned
4. in the sacraments
5. most especially in the Eucharistic species.
1371. Why is Christ present most especially in the Eucharistic species? (CCC 1373-1374) Christ is present most especially in the Eucharistic species, because in them Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity and, thus, the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained therein.
1372. Why is Christ’s presence in the Eucharist called ‘real’? (CCC 1374) Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is called ‘real’, because it is presence in the fullest sense, i.e. a substantial presence, by which Christ, God and man, makes Himself wholly and entirely present.
1373. How does Christ become present in the Eucharist? (CCC 1375) Christ becomes present in the Eucharist by the conversion of the bread and wine into His Body and Blood.
1374. How does the conversion of bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood take place? (CCC 1376) The conversion of bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood takes place by a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the Body of Christ and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of His Blood.
1375. How is the conversion of bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood called? (CCC 1376) The conversion of bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood is called transubstantiation.
The term “transubstantiation” has been defined as belonging to the Faith by Lateran IV (AD 1215) and Trent (AD 1545-63).
1376. From when to when does Christ’s presence in the Eucharistic species last? (CCC 1377) Christ’s presence in the Eucharistic species lasts from the moment of the consecration until the Eucharistic species cease to subsist.
1377. Why does the breaking of the consecrated host not divide Christ? (CCC 1377) The breaking of the consecrated host does not divide Christ, because He is present whole and entire in each of the parts.
1378. What kind of cult does the Church offer to the Holy Eucharist? (CCC 1378) The Church offers to the Holy Eucharist the cult of adoration that expresses itself, among other ways, by genuflecting or bowing deeply.
1379. Why did silent adoration of the Eucharistic species appear in the Church? (CCC 1379) Silent adoration of the Eucharistic species appeared in the Church because of a deepened faith in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.
Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator.
1380. Why did Christ choose to remain present to His Church in the Eucharist? (CCC 1380) Christ chose to remain present to His Church in the Eucharist, in order:
1. to grant to the Church His sacramental presence as He was about to depart from His own
2. to give to the Church the memorial of the love with which He loved us to the giving of His life.
1381. How only can the faithful grasp Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist? (CCC 1381) The faithful can grasp Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist only by faith, which relies on divine authority.
1382. Why is Mass called the paschal banquet? (CCC 1382) Mass is called the paschal banquet because through receiving Christ on their tongue through Holy Communion the faithful are intimately united with Him.
1383. How does the altar represent the two aspects of the same Eucharistic mystery? (CCC 1383) The altar represents the two aspects of the same Eucharistic mystery by being:
1. the altar of the sacrifice
2. the table of the Lord.
1384. What is the NT locus classicus for the necessity of receiving the Holy Eucharist? (CCC 1384) The New Testament locus classicus for the necessity of receiving the Holy Eucharist is Jn 6: “Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of man and drink His Blood, you have no life in you.”
1385. Why is preparation for receiving the Eucharist needed? (CCC 1385) Preparation for receiving the Eucharist is needed, because anyone who eats and drinks without discerning Christ’s Body eats and drinks judgment upon himself (1 Cor 11).
1386. Who must go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion? (CCC 1385) Anyone conscious of a grave sin must go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion.
1387. What is the Eucharistic fast? (CCC 1387) The Eucharistic fast is a time of abstinence from any food that must precede the reception of Holy Communion.
1388. Under which condition may the faithful receive Holy Communion at Mass? (CCC 1388) The faithful may receive Holy Communion at Mass under the condition that they have the required dispositions.
1389. How often must the faithful receive the Eucharist? (CCC 1389) The faithful must receive the Eucharist at least once a year after having gone to Confession.
The Church, however, strongly encourages the faithful to receive the Holy Eucharist daily.
1390. Why is it enough to receive Christ under the species of bread alone? (CCC 1390) It is enough to receive Christ under the species of bread alone, because He is sacramentally present under each of the species.
1391. What are the fruits of Holy Communion? (CCC 1391-1401) The fruits of Holy Communion are:
1. an increase of union with Christ
2. separation from sin
3. forgiveness of venial sins
4. preservation from future sins
5. the strengthening of the Church
6. commitment to the poor
7. helping the unity of the Church.
1392. What does Holy Communion do for the life of grace received at Baptism? (CCC 1392) Holy Communion (1) preserves, (2) increases and (3) renews the life of grace received in Baptism.
1393. Why is a certain Eucharistic communion with the separated East possible? (CCC 1399) A certain Eucharistic communion with the separated East is possible, because the Churches of the East possess true sacraments, above all a true priesthood and a true Eucharist.
1394. Why is Eucharistic intercommunion with the Protestants not possible? (CCC 1400) Eucharistic intercommunion with the Protestants is not possible, because they have not preserved the sacrament of Holy Orders and therefore lack the reality of the sacrament of the Eucharist.
1395. Under which condition may the sacraments be given to a separated Christian? (CCC 1401) The sacraments (Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick) may be given to a separated Christian in case of grave necessity if:
1. he asks for them of his own will
2. he gives evidence of holding the Catholic faith regarding these sacraments
3. he possesses the required dispositions.
It is up to the local bishop to determine whether a grave necessity is present or not.
1396. Why is the Eucharist a “pledge of the glory to come”? (CCC 1402) The Eucharist is a “pledge of the glory to come”, because it anticipates the heavenly glory.
1397. Why does the Eucharist anticipate the heavenly glory? (CCC 1402) The Eucharist anticipates the heavenly glory, because by our communion at the altar we are filled with every heavenly grace and blessing.
1398. What words of Christ refer clearly to the eschatological dimension of the Eucharist? (CCC 1403) Christ’s words “I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom (Mt 26)” refer clearly to the eschatological dimension of the Eucharist.
“Eschatological” means referring to the Last Things (Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory).
1399. Why is the Eucharist the surest pledge for the life to come? (CCC 1405) The Eucharist is the surest pledge for the life to come, because it is:
1. the medicine of immortality
2. the antidote for death
3. the food that makes us live forever with Christ.