"So rich is the mystery of the Eucharist that we have a number of terms
to illumine its saving grace: the Breaking of the Bread; the Lord's
Supper; the Eucharistic Assembly; the Memorial of Christ's Passion,
Death, and Resurrection; the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; the Holy and
Divine Liturgy; the Eucharistic Liturgy; Holy Communion; and Holy
Mass."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1328–1332
Biblical Foundations
Old Testament Worship
The use of bread and wine in worship is woven through the history of
God's people. In the Old Testament, bread and wine are seen as gifts
from God. Melchizedek's offering of a sacrifice of bread and wine after
Abraham's victory is one example (cf. Genesis 14:18). The harvest of new
lambs, too, was an occasion of sacrifice and gratitude to God.
The Passover Connection
These ancient rituals were given new historical meaning at the Exodus.
They were united in the Passover meal — a sign of God's delivering
Israel from slavery in Egypt, a pledge of his fidelity to his promises,
and ultimately a sign of the coming of the Messiah.
Christ Institutes the Eucharist
When Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, he gave a final
meaning to the blessing of bread and wine and the sacrifice of the lamb.
The Gospels prepare us for this gift:
- The Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish —
recounted in all four Gospels, prefiguring the unique abundance of the
Eucharist.
- The Wedding Feast at Cana — water changed into wine,
manifesting Christ's glory and the heavenly wedding feast we share in
at every Eucharist.
"I Am the Bread of Life"
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven… Unless you eat the
flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life
within you."
John 6:51, 53
The Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those raised to the
dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to
Christ by Confirmation participate, with the whole community, in the
Lord's own sacrifice.
"At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior
instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood… a
sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal
banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace,
and a pledge of future glory is given to us."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1322–1323
The Real Presence & Eucharistic Miracles
The Church teaches that in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ is truly, really,
and substantially present — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Through
transubstantiation, the bread and wine become Christ himself. His
presence is not symbolic but real and total.
Throughout history, Eucharistic miracles have affirmed this mystery:
- Lanciano, Italy (8th century) — scientific analysis
confirmed the Host had become human heart tissue, and the wine human
blood.
- Bolsena, Italy (1263) — a consecrated Host bled
during Mass, leading to the Feast of Corpus Christi. The blood-stained
corporal is preserved in Orvieto Cathedral.
The Vatican has approved an exhibit of more than 150 Eucharistic
miracles, an invitation to deeper faith and adoration of Christ in the
Blessed Sacrament.