3.2.8

The Eucharist

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The Eucharist

The Eucharist is usually called the Mass by Roman Catholics.

A re-enactment

A re-enactment

  • It is a re-enactment of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, remembering that Jesus told his followers ‘do this in memory of me’.
  • Catholics believe that the bread and wine blessed at Mass become the body and blood of Christ - this is known as the Real Presence or ‘transubstantiation’.
  • Catholics also believe that the Mass is a re-enactment of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and the Mass is sometimes referred to as the sacrifice of the Mass.
Quotes about the Eucharist

Quotes about the Eucharist

  • ‘While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ [Matthew 26:26 NIV]
  • ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’ [Acts 2:42 NIV]
  • ‘The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ … For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself.’ [CCC 1324]
Beliefs about the Eucharist

Beliefs about the Eucharist

  • Catholics consider the Eucharist the ‘source and summit’ of Christian life because by participating in the Eucharist they are receiving Christ himself.
  • Catholic theology also teaches that the Mass is a foretaste of the union that people will have with God in heaven.
  • They believe it also gives them the grace to go out and live the Christian life.

Parts of the Eucharist

The celebration of Mass or the Eucharist has a number of parts:

Penitential rite

Penitential rite

  • There is a penitential rite (an established ceremonial, religious act) where those present confess they are sinners and ask for forgiveness.
Readings

Readings

  • There are readings from the Bible.
Prayer

Prayer

  • The bread and wine are then taken, and a special prayer of blessing and thanksgiving is said over it.
Receiving bread and wine

Receiving bread and wine

  • The people present receive the bread and wine, now believed to be the body and blood of Christ.
Sent forth

Sent forth

  • At the end of the celebration, they are sent forth to witness Christ in their lives.

Views on the Eucharist

Catholic parishes celebrate Mass almost every day and believe in transubstantiation.

Catholics - transubstantiation

Catholics - transubstantiation

  • Catholics believe the bread and wine at Mass become the body and blood of Christ by a miracle called transubstantiation.
  • This means they believe in the ‘real presence’, which means that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine.
Other denominations - symbolic

Other denominations - symbolic

  • Many other Christians celebrate the Eucharist, following Jesus’ command to celebrate it in his memory.
  • However, most do not believe in the real presence. Some believe, for example, that the bread and wine merely symbolise the presence of Jesus.
  • Protestants also reject the idea that the Eucharist is a re-enactment of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, saying that Jesus’ sacrifice can never be repeated.
Catholics - daily Mass

Catholics - daily Mass

  • Catholic parishes celebrate Mass almost every day because they believe it is such an important source of grace.
Other denominations - Sunday Mass

Other denominations - Sunday Mass

  • Most Protestants only celebrate on Sundays, and some Christian groups do not celebrate it at all.
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on The Eucharist

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What is the Eucharist usually called by Roman Catholics?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What do Roman Catholics think the Eucharist is a re-enactment of?Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Complete these quotes about the Eucharist:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    What do Catholics believe about the Eucharist?True / false
  5. 5
    Catholics believe that the bread and wine blessed at Mass become the body and blood of Christ. What's this belief called?Multiple choice
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Holy Orders

End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments