Eucharist
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"The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity."
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1359.
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Receive the Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is the most important of the seven sacraments because, in this and in no other sacrament, we receive the very body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Innumerable, precious graces come to us through the reception of Holy Communion.
Communion is an intimate encounter with Christ, in which we sacramentally receive Christ into our bodies, that we may be more completely assimilated into his. "The Eucharist builds the Church," as Pope John Paul II said (Redemptor Hominis 20). It deepens unity with the Church, more fully assimilating us into Christ (1 Cor. 12:13; CCC 1396).
The Eucharist also strengthens the individual because in it Jesus himself, the Word made flesh, forgives our venial sins and gives us the strength to resist mortal sin. It is also the very channel of eternal life: Jesus himself.
In John’s gospel, Jesus summarized the reasons for receiving Communion when he said:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever" (John 6:53–58).
Because of the gravity of Jesus’ teaching on receiving the Eucharist, the Church encourages Catholics to receive frequent Communion, even daily Communion if possible and mandates reception of the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter season. Before going to Communion, however, there are several things one needs to know.
Catholics and Communion
The Church sets out specific guidelines regarding how we should prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s body and blood in Communion. To receive Communion worthily, you must be in a state of grace, have made a good confession since your last mortal sin, believe in transubstantiation, observe the Eucharistic fast (one hour), and, finally, not be under an ecclesiastical censure such as excommunication.
(Taken from Catholic Answers)
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For Those Seeking First Eucharist:
The typical age for the reception of this sacrament is seven years (the age of reason). First Communion at St. Bernard parish takes place in the spring, shortly after Easter.
After making his First Communion a Catholic is obligated to receive Communion at least once a year, normally during the Easter season (between Palm Sunday and Pentecost). The communicant is to abstain from food or drink (except water) for at least an hour before receiving Holy Communion.
At St. Bernard, students must either be enrolled in our school or Parish Religious Education program. Through these programs, they will be prepared for the sacraments. If you prefer to create a home study program, you can contact the Pastoral Associate for assistance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
about Receving the EucharistHoly Communion is the receiving of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Communion is an action. It is sharing in the fullest way the Eucharistic sacrifice, by eating the Flesh of Christ as the food of our soul. By our sacrifice we have offered a gift to God. God is pleased and has accepted our gift. He is so pleased that He invites us to eat of the gift we have given Him. He invites us to eat as guests at His table. Communion is the action by which all of us eat together the Body and Blood of Christ as the food and drink of our souls.
What is necessary to receive Holy Communion worthily?- It is necessary to be free from mortal sin.
- To have a right intention
- To obey the Church’s laws of a one hour fast prior to receiving the Eucharist, out of reverence for the body and blood of our Divine Lord.
Does knowingly receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin prevent us from receiving the true body and blood of Christ?
No, a person in mortal sin still receives the true body and blood of Christ, but not the graces that come with it. That person also commits a grave sin of sacrilege.
When may Holy Communion be received without fasting?
This is allowed, when one is homebound, in a hospital or nursing facility, in danger of death, or when it is necessary to save the Blessed Sacrament from insult or injury.
When we fast before Communion, are we allowed water?
For a normal healthy person, the fast before communion is one hour prior to receiving the Eucharist. Since we do not receive the Eucharist until at least midway through the Mass, it is necessary to begin your fast at least ½ hour before Mass begins. Fast means no food of any kind and only water to drink. If you are ill, but able to attend Mass, you may receive Holy Communion after taking medicine or non-alcoholic drinks, as necessary to treat your illness.
How many times in one day may I receive Holy Communion?
The Church grants the permission of receiving Holy Communion twice in one day to meet those situations of a person attending perhaps a wedding Mass and a funeral Mass on the same day or attending the regular daily Mass and then some special Mass the same day. Never, in ordinary circumstances, do we isolate the reception of Holy Communion from the rest of the Mass. It is necessary to attend the full Mass in order to receive Holy Communion at that Mass.
Besides fasting, how else can we prepare ourselves for Holy Communion?
It is good to prepare ourselves for Communion, even before Mass begins, by thinking about what we are going to do and asking Our Lord to come to us.
What should we do after Holy Communion?
After Holy Communion we should spend some time adoring Our Lord, thanking Him, renewing our promises of love and of obedience to Him, and asking Him for blessings for ourselves and others. Once you have finished your prayer, you should join in the singing as part of the community.
How does receiving Holy Communion affect us?
- A closer union with Our Lord and a more fervent love of God and of our neighbor.
- An increase of sanctifying grace.
- The lessening of our inclinations to sin and the help to practice good works.
How often should we receive Holy Communion?
As a member of the Catholic Church and respecting the 3rd Commandment, “Remember to keep Holy the Lords Day”, we are required to attend Mass every Sunday, and on every holy day of obligation. If we are in a state of grace, we may receive the Eucharist whenever we attend Mass up to two times a day. We are obligated to receive Holy Communion at least once per year. Eucharist is an intimate union with Jesus Christ, who is the source of all holiness and the giver of all graces. Receiving Holy Communion is the greatest aid to a holy life.
How can we show our appreciation to Our Lord for remaining always on our altars and in the Holy Eucharist?
We should show our gratitude by visiting Him often at church, by attending and assisting at Mass, and by attending Eucharistic Adoration, and other parish devotions. We should bring with us each week to Mass all of our good works and sacrifices made on His behalf to offer up during the sacrifice of the Mass, as our way of accepting Christ’s invitation to participate in our own salvation.
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