History of the Eucharist by Ben and Max S

What is the Eucharist

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The Eucharist is the most significant celebration in the Church’s liturgy. It is the source and basis of all Catholic life. In one celebration, it encompasses the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Origin of the Eucharist

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The origin of the Eucharist is the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, at which he is believed to have taken bread and given it to his disciples, telling them to eat of it, because it was his body, and to have taken a cup and given it to his disciples, telling them to drink of it because it was the cup of the covenant in his blood.

Eucharist Beliefs

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This celebration is based on the belief that the Eucharist is a sacrifice making present the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the real presence of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. The Eucharist makes present again the sacrifice that Jesus made when he offered his life for humanity.

Symbols of the Eucharist

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Symbols and symbolic actions have been used throughout the centuries in Christian liturgy and art to represent ideas contained in the sacraments. The bread and wine are symbols of nourishment. Breaking of the bread, and taking the cup (the body and blood of Christ) and sharing it (the Christian community) are both symbolic actions.

Actions that are involved with the Eucharist

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The celebration of the Eucharist is structured around ritual actions. These include: gathering of communities, of families, of friends, reconciliation- making peace with the people around us, proclaiming the Word and listening to the word

Participation of the Eucharist

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Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is not complete unless it is lived out in their lives. Leaving the church, Catholics take Jesus with them, into their daily lives. Thus their lives become an extension of sharing in the Eucharist.