The Holy The Holy EucharistEucharist

The Blessed SacramentThe Blessed Sacramentor, The Most Holy Sacrament of or, The Most Holy Sacrament of

the Altarthe Altar DefinitionDefinition: the sacrament of Christ’s Body : the sacrament of Christ’s Body

and Blood under the appearance of bread and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine.and wine.

Of all the sacraments, this one is the greatestOf all the sacraments, this one is the greatest::

1.1. It not only gives grace, it contains It not only gives grace, it contains the the Author and Source of all graceAuthor and Source of all grace, Jesus , Jesus Christ Himself;Christ Himself;

2.2. It doesn’t only exist while it is It doesn’t only exist while it is administered, but administered, but continues to lastcontinues to last as as long as the appearances remain unchanged;long as the appearances remain unchanged;

3.3. It is not only a sacrament, but also a It is not only a sacrament, but also a sacrificesacrifice!!

4 Old Testament Symbols of the 4 Old Testament Symbols of the EucharistEucharist

#1 The Sacrifice of #1 The Sacrifice of MelchizedekMelchizedek: (Genesis : (Genesis 14:17-24) the high priest 14:17-24) the high priest Melchizedek offers a Melchizedek offers a sacrifice of bread and sacrifice of bread and wine. Abraham bows to wine. Abraham bows to him, which means that him, which means that Melchizedek is greater Melchizedek is greater than Abraham (i.e., Christ than Abraham (i.e., Christ is greater than Abraham).is greater than Abraham).

#2 The Passover Lamb#2 The Passover Lamb: : (Exodus 12) a pure, (Exodus 12) a pure, spotless lamb was offered spotless lamb was offered to God, killed, and eaten to God, killed, and eaten whole.whole.

Melchizedek blesses Abraham

Old Testament symbols, Old Testament symbols, cont.cont.

#3 The Manna#3 The Manna: (Exodus 16) : (Exodus 16) God continued to feed the God continued to feed the Israelites during their Israelites during their pilgrimage in the desert pilgrimage in the desert with “bread from heaven”. with “bread from heaven”. Christ feeds us with His Christ feeds us with His Bread (Himself) on our Bread (Himself) on our pilgrimage towards eternal pilgrimage towards eternal life.life.

#4: The Sacrifice of Isaac#4: The Sacrifice of Isaac: : (Genesis 22) God tells (Genesis 22) God tells Abraham to offer up his Abraham to offer up his first-born son. God the Son, first-born son. God the Son, Jesus Christ, will offer His Jesus Christ, will offer His life to the Father for the life to the Father for the salvation of the world.salvation of the world.

I am the Bread of Life (John 6:48)

Matter and FormMatter and Form MatterMatter: (1) wheat bread, : (1) wheat bread,

and (2) wine of the grape.and (2) wine of the grape.• A little water is mixed with A little water is mixed with

the wine to symbolize the the wine to symbolize the blood and water which blood and water which flowed from Christ when flowed from Christ when the soldier pierced his side.the soldier pierced his side.

FormForm: (1) “This is My : (1) “This is My Body”, and (2) “This is My Body”, and (2) “This is My Blood.”Blood.”

The Grace of the The Grace of the SacramentSacrament: is Christ’s own : is Christ’s own life within us!life within us!

““Unless you Unless you eat the flesheat the flesh of of the Son of man and the Son of man and drink drink his bloodhis blood, you have no , you have no life in you”life in you” (John 6: 53) (John 6: 53)

The elevation of the Chalice with the Precious

Blood of Christ

““Do this in commemoration Do this in commemoration of Me.”of Me.” Christ gave Christ gave the powerthe power to to

turn bread and wine into turn bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the Body and Blood of Christ Christ at the Last Supper.at the Last Supper.

Why? So that ChristWhy? So that Christ::1.1. Would always be Would always be presentpresent

for us, not only as God, but for us, not only as God, but as Man;as Man;

2.2. Could Could offer Himselfoffer Himself daily daily through the Holy Sacrifice through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass;of the Mass;

3.3. Could Could nourishnourish our souls in our souls in Holy Communion until the Holy Communion until the hour of our death.hour of our death.

The Holy Eucharist is the The Holy Eucharist is the greatest sign of God’s greatest sign of God’s

love for us!love for us!

TransubstantiationTransubstantiation DefinitionDefinition: The change of the : The change of the

entireentire substancesubstance of of bread and bread and winewine into the into the substancesubstance of the of the Body and BloodBody and Blood of Christ. of Christ.

The substance changes, but the The substance changes, but the appearancesappearances (or “species”) of (or “species”) of bread and wine bread and wine remain the remain the samesame..

The Holy Eucharist looks, smells, The Holy Eucharist looks, smells, tastes like bread and wine, but the tastes like bread and wine, but the substance of those “appearances” substance of those “appearances” is is truly Christ Himselftruly Christ Himself..

Christ was not speaking Christ was not speaking symbolically when He said: symbolically when He said: “You “You must eat my Flesh and drink must eat my Flesh and drink my Blood.”my Blood.” (John 6) (John 6)

Christ becomes Our Daily Bread

The Real PresenceThe Real Presence Christ is present in the Christ is present in the

bread and wine bread and wine trulytruly, , reallyreally, and , and substantiallysubstantially..

In the 16In the 16thth century, the century, the Protestant Protestant arch-heretics arch-heretics Martin LutherMartin Luther and and John John CalvinCalvin denied this ancient denied this ancient Christian teaching, and Christian teaching, and therefore also denied that therefore also denied that the Mass is a true sacrifice.the Mass is a true sacrifice.

Since Christ is truly present Since Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, it ought to in the Eucharist, it ought to be be worshippedworshipped and and adoredadored according to the according to the 11stst CommandmentCommandment..

Martin Luther, Heretic

Part 2Part 2The Holy The Holy

Eucharist as a Eucharist as a SacrificeSacrifice

The Holy Sacrifice of the The Holy Sacrifice of the MassMass

Christ desired not only to be always present to us Christ desired not only to be always present to us in the Holy Eucharist, but so that He may in the Holy Eucharist, but so that He may continually offer Himself for our sins in the continually offer Himself for our sins in the Holy Holy Sacrifice of the MassSacrifice of the Mass..

The Mass is the The Mass is the same, one true sacrifice of same, one true sacrifice of Christ on the CrossChrist on the Cross, but presented to us in an , but presented to us in an “unbloody manner” under the appearance of “unbloody manner” under the appearance of bread and wine.bread and wine.

UnbloodyUnbloody = Christ does not die again every time = Christ does not die again every time Mass is celebrated. Mass is celebrated. He died once and for allHe died once and for all..

But that perfect sacrifice of the Cross is But that perfect sacrifice of the Cross is made made available to usavailable to us every time the Holy Mass is said. every time the Holy Mass is said.

Calvary is re-presented to us at every Mass!Calvary is re-presented to us at every Mass!

SacrificeSacrifice From the Latin From the Latin sacersacer (sacred) + (sacred) +

facerefacere (to make, to do). (to make, to do). DefinitionDefinition: To make something : To make something

sacred; to consecrate or to offer to sacred; to consecrate or to offer to God.God.

PurposePurpose: for the greater glory : for the greater glory and honor of God.and honor of God.

4 reasons for sacrifice4 reasons for sacrifice

1.1. AdorationAdoration: for worship: for worship

2.2. ThanksgivingThanksgiving: to recognize God’s : to recognize God’s many blessings we have received.many blessings we have received.

3.3. ExpiationExpiation: for forgiveness of sins: for forgiveness of sins

4.4. PetitionPetition: to ask the Lord for our : to ask the Lord for our spiritual and temporal needs.spiritual and temporal needs.

The Mass is a Real The Mass is a Real SacrificeSacrifice

Meets the necessary conditionsMeets the necessary conditions::

1.1. The VictimThe Victim: Jesus Christ Himself is the : Jesus Christ Himself is the one being offered to the Father, under one being offered to the Father, under the appearance of bread and wine.the appearance of bread and wine.

2.2. The OblationThe Oblation: (the offering itself) : (the offering itself) takes place at the Consecration (matter takes place at the Consecration (matter and form) under the separate species and form) under the separate species (appearances).(appearances).

The separate speciesThe separate species represent the represent the deathdeath of Christ, of Christ, when His precious when His precious Blood was separated from His BodyBlood was separated from His Body..

Part 3Part 3The practice of The practice of frequent Holy frequent Holy CommunionCommunion

““Domine, Non Sum Domine, Non Sum Dignus”Dignus” We are never truly worthy of We are never truly worthy of

God’s God’s gracegrace, but we should ask , but we should ask Him for it Him for it alwaysalways!!

““My Flesh is real food, and My My Flesh is real food, and My Blood is real drink.”Blood is real drink.” (John 6:56) (John 6:56)

There does not exist There does not exist a more a more powerful waypowerful way in which to be in which to be closeclose to Christ than to have Him to Christ than to have Him inside our very bodies in Holy inside our very bodies in Holy Communion.Communion.

We receive graces that will We receive graces that will guarantee our salvationguarantee our salvation, for , for the more we receive Holy the more we receive Holy Communion, Communion, the more the more supernatural life we will have!supernatural life we will have! Ecce Agnus

Dei!

The Effects of Holy The Effects of Holy CommunionCommunion

1.1. Preserves and increases sanctifying Preserves and increases sanctifying grace in the soul.grace in the soul.

2.2. It unites the soul more closely with It unites the soul more closely with Christ.Christ.

3.3. By uniting all of the faithful with By uniting all of the faithful with Christ, Holy Communion unites them Christ, Holy Communion unites them with each other in charity (with the with each other in charity (with the Church Triumphant and Church Church Triumphant and Church Suffering).Suffering).

4.4. It destroys venial sin, and preserves It destroys venial sin, and preserves us from mortal sin.us from mortal sin.

5.5. It is a pledge of the future and It is a pledge of the future and glorious resurrection of the Last Day.glorious resurrection of the Last Day.

PurgatoryPurgatory

A Temporary State for A Temporary State for the Savedthe Saved DefinitionDefinition: a place or : a place or

condition of temporal condition of temporal punishment for those who, punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s departing this life in God’s gracegrace, are , are not entirely free not entirely free from venial faultsfrom venial faults, or have , or have not fully paid the not fully paid the satisfaction due to their satisfaction due to their transgressionstransgressions..

Every sin incurs a Every sin incurs a debt of debt of justicejustice which needs to be which needs to be paid, as a consequence of our paid, as a consequence of our free, human actions.free, human actions.

Every human actEvery human act has has consequences, whether great consequences, whether great or small, for good or for ill.or small, for good or for ill.

Dante’s Purgatorio – Cantu 4

Purgatory in ScripturePurgatory in ScriptureII Maccabees 12:43-46II Maccabees 12:43-46 “sent twelve “sent twelve

thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the for the sins of the deaddead””

They did so in view of the hope of the They did so in view of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!resurrection of the dead!

““For if he had not hoped that they that For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead”for the dead” (v. 45) (v. 45)

Souls in Hell cannot be helped in any way, Souls in Hell cannot be helped in any way, and souls in Heaven do not need help; and souls in Heaven do not need help; therefore, these souls are in a place where therefore, these souls are in a place where they they cancan be helped! be helped!

““Everyone who is angry at his Everyone who is angry at his brother shall be liable to brother shall be liable to judgment…make friends judgment…make friends

quickly with your accuser, lest quickly with your accuser, lest he hand you over to the he hand you over to the judgejudge, ,

and the judge to the guard, and the judge to the guard, and you be placed in and you be placed in prisonprison; ; Amen I say to you, you will Amen I say to you, you will

never get out never get out until you have until you have paid the last pennypaid the last penny.”.”

- - Matthew 5:22ffMatthew 5:22ff

Nature of the Nature of the PunishmentPunishment

The holy souls are shut out for The holy souls are shut out for the time being from the glory the time being from the glory of Heaven.of Heaven.

The The inability to sininability to sin makes makes them secure in their them secure in their hopehope of of the Beatific Vision.the Beatific Vision.

There is There is no doubtno doubt of their of their eternal salvation.eternal salvation.

Purgatorial FirePurgatorial Fire: more : more painful than anything that can painful than anything that can be experienced here on earth.be experienced here on earth.

Necessary FireNecessary Fire: purification : purification from an unhealthy attachment from an unhealthy attachment to creatures.to creatures.

Helping the Faithful Helping the Faithful DepartedDeparted

Prayer and penance can be Prayer and penance can be done on behalf of the poor done on behalf of the poor souls (the Rosary, fasting, souls (the Rosary, fasting, Holy Hours, etc)Holy Hours, etc)

The Greatest AidThe Greatest Aid: the Holy : the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!Sacrifice of the Mass!

The Mass, since it is the The Mass, since it is the perfect Sacrifice of Calvary, perfect Sacrifice of Calvary, is a gift of infinite value, and is a gift of infinite value, and can suffice to free a soul can suffice to free a soul from its debts.from its debts.

Masses should be requested Masses should be requested often on behalf of the dead, often on behalf of the dead, as well as the living.as well as the living.

IndulgencesIndulgences IndulegentiaIndulegentia (Latin) = kindness, favor. (Latin) = kindness, favor. In Roman Law, it was the remission of a In Roman Law, it was the remission of a

tax or debt.tax or debt. DefinitionDefinition: the remission of the temporal : the remission of the temporal

punishment due to sin that has been punishment due to sin that has been forgiven.forgiven.

The power to remove this debt is derived The power to remove this debt is derived from the (a) from the (a) merits of Christmerits of Christ and of His and of His saints—especially the martyrs—(b) saints—especially the martyrs—(b) through the exercise of the through the exercise of the power of the power of the Keys of the KingdomKeys of the Kingdom given to St. Peter given to St. Peter by Christ.by Christ.

Types of IndulgencesTypes of Indulgences1.1. Plenary IndulgencePlenary Indulgence: the : the

removal of the entire debt of removal of the entire debt of justice.justice.

2.2. Partial IndulgencePartial Indulgence: the removal : the removal of a part of the entire debt.of a part of the entire debt.

Indulgences can be gained for Indulgences can be gained for either oneself or for the holy souls either oneself or for the holy souls in Purgatory.in Purgatory.

RequirementsRequirements:: Must be in the state of grace;Must be in the state of grace; Must have gone to confession and Must have gone to confession and

have received Holy Communion;have received Holy Communion; Pray for the intentions of the Pray for the intentions of the

PopePope Must be detached from ALL sin!!!Must be detached from ALL sin!!!

The EndThe End