The Eucharist

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The Eucharist

The Eucharist is usually called the Mass by Roman Catholics.

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

‘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

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

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

Readings

There are readings from the Bible.

Prayer

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

Receiving bread and wine

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

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 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

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

Catholic parishes celebrate Mass almost every day because they believe it is such an important source of grace.

Other denominations - Sunday Mass

Most Protestants only celebrate on Sundays, and some Christian groups do not celebrate it at all.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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