What is the Eucharist?
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever;...he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and...abides in me, and I in him." -John 6:51, 54, 56
"...the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also the cup...saying, 'This is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" - 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church's life, for in it Christ associated his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church" (1407).
The Eucharist is:
-Christ himself.
-A memorial of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection.
-A sacrifice offered for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of all who receive it.
-The sustenance which strengthens our love of Christ and others and makes us long for eternal life.
The Eucharist at St. Aloysius
The Eucharist is primarily celebrated in the context of the Mass.
For a child to receive First Communion in our diocese, they must have reached the age of reason (age seven) and have received the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Adults who wish to receive the Eucharist can do so through RCIA.
For more information about preparation for First Communion, check out our Sacramental Preparation information on the CCD page.