The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If you eat this bread, you will live forever. The bread that I will give you is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live.”
What is the Eucharist?
The Eucharist is the true body of Christ to the Catholic faithful. By the Eucharistic celebration, we unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life. The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church's life, for in it, our Lord Jesus Christ associates His Church and all Her members with His sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ increases our union with the Lord, forgives venial sins, and preserves us from grave sins. Since receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between Christ and us it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ.
Because we see the Eucharist as the true body of Christ and not a symbol or metaphor, we know our Lord is truly present in this Sacrament, and in the tabernacle in our church. The Eucharist is to be honored and adored.
To receive the Eucharist, one must be in a state of Grace, or free of mortal sin. We are in a state of grace by going to confession. Mother Church obliges the faithful to go to confession at least once a year, and receive the Eucharist at least once a year. One must have also completed the proper classes needed to truly know and understand the importance of this most important sacrament.
How to Obtain the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the First time
For Baptized children under 7:
- 2 years of preparation for First Eucharist beginning in the 1st grade.
- Sacrament received in the 2nd grade
- Parent and student participation at meetings and retreat
- It is important that both child and parent have good attendance in class and at Mass. These classes after all show us how to meet God himself in the Mass.
-Students are allowed only 3 absences.
RCIA adapted process (after 7 years old):
- This process is for children age 7 and older who are not baptized and also for baptized children in 2nd grade or above who have not received First Eucharist and/or have not received their first year preparation for First Eucharist.
- A parent must also attend RCIA for adults.
- It is important that both child and parent have good attendance in class and at Mass. These classes after all show us how to meet God himself in the Mass.
- Student’s are allowed only 3 absences.