Eucharist
Eucharist (together with Baptism and Confirmation) tells us that God wants each and every one of us to belong—first of all, to God! Second of all, God wants us to belong to one another, to care for each other and to form a community of faith with other believers. God is a family—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and God gives us the grace, in these Sacraments of Initiation, to form and grow in human families that continue to reveal God’s love to the world.
The Eucharist tells us that our purpose in life is to know, love and serve God in all kinds of ways, and that God feeds us with the very Body and Blood of Jesus to form us and shape us and nourish us to go out and be God’s very presence in and for the world. In this Sacrament, we are fed. We are fed because God knows that we need to be fed. We are also fed so that we can be food for others and bring them to Jesus, who is Food for All.
Eucharist reminds us that Jesus gave his very life for us. In every Mass, we take part in, once more, Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Jesus continues to suffer and give his life for us. Following Jesus sometimes means sacrifice. Love often means sacrifice, but Jesus is with us every step of the way, feeding us, being our Bread for the Journey, and giving us good companions who will walk the road with us.
Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, as a group of three Sacraments, are called the “Sacraments of Initiation.”
A Sacrament is a visible sign of God’s presence, God’s activity in our lives, in the Church and in our world. But it goes beyond that! Sacraments not only show us what God is like and what God dreams for us; Sacraments also make that happen!
The Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been 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 by means of the Eucharist.
Before receiving Holy Communion, the celebrant and assembly acknowledge their unworthiness to receive so great a gift. The celebrant receives Holy Communion first and then the people come forward.
Those who receive Holy Communion should be prepared to receive so great a gift. They should fast (except for medicines) for at least one hour before receiving the Eucharist and should not be conscious of having committed serious sin.
Because sharing at the Eucharistic Table is a sign of unity in the Body of Christ, only those in communion with the Catholic Church may receive Holy Communion. To invite others present to receive Holy Communion implies a unity which does not exist. Those who do not receive Holy Communion still participate in this rite by praying for unity with Christ and with each other.
The people approach the altar and, bowing with reverence, receive Holy Communion. People may receive the Body of Christ either on the tongue or in the hand. The priest or other minister offers the Eucharist to each person saying, "The Body of Christ." The person receiving responds by saying, "Amen," a Hebrew word meaning, "So be it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2856).
As the people receive Holy Communion, the communion chant/song is sung. The unity of voices echoes the unity the Eucharist brings. All may spend some time in silent prayer of thanksgiving as well.
The Communion Rite ends with the Prayer after Communion which asks that the benefits of the Eucharist will remain active in our daily lives.
For more information about preparation for receiving the Holy Eucharist please contact us at:
(250) 388-5571
standrewscathedral@gmail.com
"How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment."
- Saint John Chrysostom