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"God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar." - St. Maximilian Kolbe
Understanding the Real Presence of the Eucharist
Get ready to delve into the profound love of Jesus!
Our Faith is a journey. To help us along this journey, God has given us the gift of the Eucharist. As Pope St. John Paul II said, “the Eucharist is the source and summit” of our faith.
What does that mean?
The Eucharist brings God and us together – in a covenant of love. While our personal faith journey has constant change – ebbs and flows – His love never changes, and it is demonstrated in the sacrifice of His son on the cross. We experience that love – that sacrifice – in the Eucharist.
Once you fully understand the Holy Eucharist it will change your life and your relationship with Christ forever.
Below you will find quick resources meant to help you get the answers you are looking for in an easy to understand format.
Questions About The Eucharist
What is the Eucharist?
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.
What is Transubstantiation?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church “[i]t is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament...
[By] the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.” (CCC 1375-76.)
So, Transubstantiation is a change from the substance of bread into the substance of the body of Christ, and the substance of wine into the substance of the blood of Christ. St. Thomas Aquinas said that the existence of Christ’s real body and blood in the Eucharist “cannot be grasped by the experience of the senses, but only by the faith which has divine authority and its support.”
Does the Bible say anything about the Eucharist?
Christ proclaiming the Eucharist as His body and blood can be found in: Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14: 22-24; and Luke 22: 19-20, but the most compelling example is found in John, Chapter 6.
Jesus says “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6: 51). “How can He give us flesh to eat?” people ask, and Christ reiterates: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (John 6: 53-55.) The people begin to leave. Jesus doesn’t try to stop them! He doesn’t say, “Hey, that was a metaphor! Don’t leave!” No, Jesus turns to the Apostles and says, “Do you also want to leave?” Wow. When Jesus said, “my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink,” He meant it. He left no other way to interpret it.
What did the early Church believe about the Eucharist?
The early church fathers believed in the real presence of the Eucharist. St. Ignatius of Antioch, in his letter to the Romans in 110 AD, stated “I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ . . . and for drink I desire his blood, which is love incorruptible.”
Even more interesting, however, is that Pope St. Clement I, the fourth pope, was a contemporary of Sts. Peter and Paul. In fact, he was ordained by St. Peter! And here is what our earliest Church Father says about the Eucharist: “Eat my flesh, he says, and drink my blood. Such is the suitable food which the Lord ministers, and he offers his flesh and pours forth his blood, and nothing is wanting for the children’s growth. O, amazing mystery! We are enjoined to cast off the old and carnal corruption, as also the old nutriment, receiving in exchange another new regimen, that of Christ, receiving him if we can, to hide him within; and that, enshrining the Savior in our souls, we may correct the affections of our flesh.”
Clement was Pope from 92 A.D. to 101 A.D. — which is during, and just after, the life of St. John the Apostle. So, the earliest church fathers — even those that were literally with the Apostles, believed that the Eucharist was truly the body and blood of Christ.
What are Eucharistic Miracles?
Eucharistic miracles are extraordinary events, where the Eucharist no longer appears under the form of bread and wine, but takes on the biological qualities of human flesh or blood or both.
There have been 107 recorded Eucharistic Miracles. Of those 107, 5 have undergone scientific testing in the last two decades and have published reports. In all 5 cases human heart tissue was detected in the host!
Do I need to believe in the Eucharist to be Catholic?
Yes, but let's take a step back. It is not like being Catholic can even be separated from the Eucharist. Remember, it is the SOURCE and SUMMIT of our Catholic Faith!
But this is not really the proper outlook as you negotiate what you believe. Instead, seek the truth. Look to scripture, and you will find the Eucharist. Look to history, and you find the Eucharist. Look at the miracles and scientific investigations surrounding them and you will find the Eucharist. Go to Adoration and sit before the Blessed Sacrament and you will FEEL the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. And once you fully understand the Eucharist -- mind, body, and soul -- it will deepen your need to be Catholic, to attend Holy Mass, and to embrace the Sacraments. Alternatively, go to Mass every week! Being in Christ's presence in Mass as the bread and wine turns to His body and blood will transform you!
In sum, get involved and you will find the Eucharist!
Resources
Going to Mass isn't the same as being present at Mass. It's easy to walk in with your mind somewhere else and walk out without remembering a single thing that happened. In Bread's FREE video series, Immerse Yourself in the Mass, Fr. Bryan Kujawa unpacks the practices you do at every single Mass — the ones you've probably never stopped to think about. Small gestures. Big meaning. Watch all six vide
Sharing your faith isn't just about having answers. It's about showing up for the people in your life and trusting that God will do the rest. In Bread's FREE video series, How to Share Your Faith with Others, Fr. Craig Vasek draws on his years of experience as a priest to offer practical advice to those who want to live out and share their faith. Eight talks. Practical tools. Real conversation. An
Listen to this amazing miracle that Judy Cozzens shares!
God is everywhere, present, in all things.
Fr. Vasek explains how you should engage your imagination during prayer.
Here, Father Vasek displays how he meditates on scripture, and how we can, too!
If you have not been to The Holy Mass, come! Come and experience the truth and the beauty of Christ at the Mass. “Come, and you will see.” John 1:39 #revival #eucharisticrevival #eucharisticcongress #eucharisticpilgrimage
In Adoration, the person who loves us most stands right in front of us in the Tabernacle. And you can go to Adoration at any time to spend time with Him. How amazing is that? #revival #eucharisticrevival #eucharisticcongress #eucharisticpilgrimage
Everytime we go to The Mass, Jesus encounters us — physically and spiritually through the Eucharist. Every single time you go to Mass, Jesus is waiting for you in the Eucharist. #revival #eucharisticrevival #eucharisticcongress #eucharisticpilgrimage
Attendees of the Eucharistic Congress explain why they are Catholic, and also how Jesus has shown Himself and His love to them. Why are you Catholic? Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #christ
Here, Father Bryan Kujawa shares his story of consecrating the Eucharist for the first time during the Mass!
In this video, Sister Imelda shares a couple of stories with us. One where the Eucharist heals, the other where it brings joy to someone's heart. In our lives we should seek to allow the Eucharist to provide us both of these things: healing and joy.
Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #christ
When a priest was delivering the rites of Confession and the Eucharist to a sickly man, a unique Eucharistic miracle took place! Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #christ
Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
In 1330, a Eucharistic miracle happened after a priest carelessly handled the Eucharist! Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
The Eucharistic Miracle of Saint Anthony demonstrates a mule showing reverence to his creator, Christ. Who is really present in the most Blessed Sacrament. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
The things that take place in the Old Testament often connect directly to the New Testament. And these connections are always superior in the New Testament as it is the fulfillment of it all! Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
In the Old Testament, the bread of the presence pointed the people to the face of God. Now, the bread of the Presence is the face of God. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
Throughout the Old Testament, you will find many symbols and hints that point toward something great. The Eucharist. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
To some, the Old Testament may appear as less important. After all, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament and we now have the New Testament. However, the Old and the New Testament actually go hand in hand! They cannot exist apart from each other. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Len
We are beyond privileged to have Adoration. God Himself is really present within the Eucharist in the monstrance. Think about that! Whenever we want to go to Jesus, we can literally go to Him on earth when we go to Adoration. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
During the 13th century in Italy, a woman agreed to bring a consecrated Host to a sorceress for some sort of love spell! #catholic #eucharist #Mass Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/
Posture matters! Listen to Fr. Vasek’s recommendations and try paying attention to your posture during prayer! Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #Lent
Our God, Jesus Christ, is just as present with us now as he was during his earthly ministry. In every Catholic church around the entire world, Christ is really there in the Blessed Sacrament.
Christ is spiritually present with us always, but He is also physically and literally present with us in the Blessed Sacrament! He is just as present with us now as He was when He was here during His earthly ministry. Christ has promised us… “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody
We might often find ourselves trying to find God's presence, but God is already present. We just need to tune in and become aware!
What do the Saints tell us to do for Lent? Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/
How to move toward Holiness? Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/
What can I do to give up sin? Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/
What should I be doing during Lent? Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/
A very unique Eucharistic Miracle took place in the year 1430 in Dijon, France, when a lady had an encounter with a bleeding host, which stained an image of Our Lord and instruments and symbols of his passion and death into the host. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/
Have you ever wondered what Christ really looked like, or what it would be like to stand before him? Here Father Vasek discusses how we can reflect on these questions! #christ #catholic #eucharist
At the Last Supper, Christ makes some significant changes to the Passover as He is now the Lamb of God. “This is the new blood of the new lamb of the new Passover.” — Fr. Bryan Kujawa Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #christ
The Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano is a miracle where the Host was transformed into visible human flesh before a doubting monks eyes. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #christ
Eucharistic miracles all around the world usually have a consistent theme: a person who doubts the Real Presence in the Eucharist. This is the case with the Eucharistic miracle of Ludbreg when a priest doubted the Real Presence in consecrated wine. Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharis
We see many times throughout the Bible, that when God speaks, it is. So when Jesus, being God, spoke the words, “This is my body…” and “This is my blood…” It was. Website: www.breadtobody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #christ
Agnus Dei... Christ, embodied in the Eucharist, demonstrates that through His suffering we find our hope. “In the humble signs of bread and wine, changed into his body and blood, Christ walks beside us as our strength and our food for the journey, and he enables us to become, for everyone, witnesses of hope.” — Pope St. John Paul II Bread Website: www.BreadtoBody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook
Fr. Vasek shares his thoughts on Bread's mission, and why it is so crucial for the Church. Website: www.breadtobody.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadtobody Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadtobody/ #catholic #eucharist #christ
