Holy Eucharist

The Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. Holy Communion is the act of receiving the real presence of Jesus Christ's body and blood, transubstantiated from the bread and wine during Mass. After the substance of bread and wine are changed into His Body and Blood, the accidents -- the appearance, taste, texture of bread and wine -- remain, but what looks like "bread" and "wine" are, in substance, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. As we receive Christ’s Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

The effects of receiving the Sacrament are:

• union, by love, with Christ

• an increase in sanctifying grace in the soul when received by a "living member of the Church" (i.e., one who is in a state of grace)

• the blotting out venial sin and preserving the soul from mortal sin, in proportion to the communicant's devotion

• the rewards promised by Christ in His words, "He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up on the last day."