Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist

The Sacrament of Holy Communion, or the Holy Eucharist, is the third Sacrament in the Roman Catholic faith, typically received for the first time in second grade, following the Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation.

Institution of the Eucharist

At the Last Supper, on the night before His death, Jesus instituted the memorial of His Body and Blood to perpetuate the Sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages. The unleavened bread made from wheat flour and the wine made from grapes, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked, are offered together with the words of consecration Jesus spoke on that first Holy Thursday:

"This is my body/This is the cup of my blood...which will be given up for you."

As Catholics, we believe that with these words of consecration, offered by a priest, the ordinary bread and wine are transformed, not as a mere symbol, but into the real and substantial presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Receiving the Holy Eucharist

Children

Usually, a child prepares to receive the Holy Eucharist in second grade, or at the age of discretion, but not before the Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation are properly celebrated.

Adults

Adults are received into this sacrament through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).