The Holy Eucharist is at the very heart of our Catholic faith. The Church calls it the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324) because everything in the Church flows from the Eucharist and everything leads back to it.
The Real Presence of Christ
In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine. At the Last Supper, He said: “This is my Body… this is my Blood” (Matthew 26:26–28). When the priest consecrates the bread and wine during Mass, they are transformed into Christ Himself. This is not a symbol, but a true mystery of faith.
Source of Grace
The Eucharist is the source because it nourishes us spiritually, giving us the grace we need to live as true disciples. Just as food sustains our bodies, the Eucharist sustains our souls. Jesus said: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:54).
Summit of Christian Life
It is the summit because it is the highest form of worship we can offer to God. In every Mass, we unite ourselves with Christ’s one sacrifice on the Cross, made present again in a sacramental way. There is no greater prayer than the Eucharist.
Communion and Unity
Through Holy Communion, we are united with Christ and with one another as His Body, the Church. St. Paul reminds us: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body” (1 Corinthians 10:17). The Eucharist builds up the Church and strengthens our love for one another.
Foretaste of Heaven
The Eucharist is a foretaste of eternal life. Each Mass gives us a glimpse of the heavenly banquet, where the saints and angels praise God forever. It reminds us that our final destination is union with God in Heaven.
