“Our Redeemer ever present in the most Blessed Sacrament, extends His hands to everyone. He opens His heart and says, ‘Come to Me, all of you.’”  -St. Raphael Kalinowski, O.C.D.

As Catholics, we believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Each mass we celebrate this sacrament during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The bread and wine, once consecrated by a Catholic priest, truly become (in substance) the body and blood of Jesus. We can rejoice and be grateful, knowing that our Savior is so near!

We can then receive Jesus if we are in a State of Grace (that is, without mortal sin), and have fasted for an hour. Being in a State of Grace when receiving communion helps us to be in union with our Lord and to show respect to Him. Fasting from food and drink is an ancient Catholic tradition that also helps us to be respectful of the Sacred Liturgy. If you find that you are not in a State of Grace and the Sacrament of Eucharist is being celebrated, please abstain and go to confession as soon as possible so that you may be in a State of Grace again (see above information about Reconciliation).

“At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.’” -Catechism of the Catholic Church 1323.

For questions regarding the Sacrament of the Eucharist, please contact the Parish office at 610-444-4364.