In-Depth Track
November Week 2
Theme: The Mass & the Eucharist
Focus: The Eucharist as Sacrifice, Communion, and Mission — The Mystery of Calvary Made Present
Audience: Catechists, apologists, advanced adult learners
Weekly Goal
To understand in full depth how the Eucharist is both Sacrifice and Sacrament, how the Mass makes present the one sacrifice of the Cross, unites the faithful to Christ’s offering, and sends them forth as His Body.
This study draws on Scripture, the Fathers, the Councils, scholastic theology, and modern magisterial teaching.
Opening Prayer
Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ,
who offered Yourself once for all upon the Cross
and still intercede for us at the right hand of the Father,
open my mind to grasp the mystery of Your Eucharistic sacrifice.
May knowledge lead to adoration, and adoration to imitation,
until I offer my whole life with Yours for the salvation of the world. Amen.
Day 1 – Scriptural Foundation: The Sacrifice of the New Covenant
1. Christ institutes a true sacrifice
Luke 22:19-20 – “This is My Body … This cup is the new covenant in My Blood.”
The command “Do this” establishes a perpetual liturgy. Zikkaron (memorial) in Hebrew denotes a sacrificial re-presentation, not mere recall (see Ex 12:14).
1 Cor 10:16-21 – Paul contrasts pagan and Christian “altars.” “We have an altar” (Heb 13:10).
2. Christ the true High Priest
Heb 9:11-14, 24-26 – He offers His own Blood once for all, yet eternally presents it before the Father. The Mass is our access to that heavenly worship.
Apologetic insight:
Catholic theology holds that Calvary’s sacrifice is historically unique yet eternally effective. The Eucharist is participation, not repetition. Time receives eternity; Christ is not brought down, we are lifted up.
Day 2 – The Early Church and the Language of Sacrifice
Patristic Witness
Didache 14 (AD 90): “On the Lord’s Day, gather … offer the Eucharist.”
St Ignatius of Antioch (AD 107): “The Eucharist is the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
St Justin Martyr (AD 155): “This food is called among us Eucharist … not as common bread and drink, but as Jesus Christ made flesh.”
St Irenaeus (AD 180): “He taught the new oblation of the new covenant … the Church offers it throughout the world.” (Adv. Haer. 4.17.5)
Council witness
Trent (1551): “The same Christ who once offered Himself in a bloody manner on the Cross is contained and immolated in an unbloody manner on the altar.” (Sess. XXII ch. 2)
Reflection:
Every generation of Christians has spoken of the Eucharist as an offering. Continuity from the Apostles to today is the surest mark of truth.
Day 3 – The Mode of Presence and Change of Substance
Transubstantiation explained
Substance = what a thing is; accidents = its sensible properties.
At consecration, the substance of bread & wine becomes the Body & Blood of Christ, while the accidents remain.
CCC 1376: “By the consecration there takes place a change of the whole substance …”
Analogy: As the Word became flesh without losing divinity, so bread becomes Christ without losing appearances.
Apologetic clarifications
| Objection | Catholic Response |
| “It still looks like bread.” | The senses grasp accidents; faith perceives substance. |
| “It’s impossible.” | So is resurrection. God, Creator of matter, commands matter. |
| “You can’t explain it scientifically.” | The change is metaphysical, not chemical. Science measures quantity, not being. |
Reflection:
Reason cannot exhaust mystery, but reason defends it from distortion.
Day 4 – Participation of the Faithful in Christ’s Offering
1. The Church offers with her Lord
Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.”
CCC 1368: “The Church participates in the offering of her Head.”
The baptized share in Christ’s priesthood (1 Pet 2:9). At Mass, each believer joins personal sacrifices—work, suffering, love—to the perfect oblation of the Lamb.
2. Role of the ministerial priest
Acts in persona Christi capitis. The priest is instrument; Christ is the true Priest.
Apologetic note:
The Reformation rejected sacrificial language, yet Scripture and Tradition show that Christian worship has always been priestly. Without sacrifice, Christianity loses its covenant form.
Reflection:
The altar is not a stage; it is the Cross extended through time. Active participation means interior offering, not busyness.
Day 5 – Communion and Mission: Becoming What We Receive
Communion effects
John 6:56 – “He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me.”
CCC 1391–1397: Communion unites us to Christ, forgives venial sin, strengthens charity, and commits us to the poor.
To receive the Eucharist is to be transformed into what we consume: Corpus Christi efficiamur — may we become the Body of Christ.
Mission
The Mass ends with Ite, missa est — “Go, you are sent.” The faithful are living tabernacles, carrying Christ into the world.
Modern magisterium
Ecclesia de Eucharistia 11: “The Eucharist builds the Church and the Church makes the Eucharist.”
Sacramentum Caritatis 84: “Eucharistic consistency” means living what we celebrate.
Reflection:
The Eucharist is not complete until it bears fruit in love, service, and witness.
Weekend Synthesis
| Aspect | Meaning |
| Sacrifice | The one offering of Christ, made present sacramentally. |
| Presence | Christ truly, really, substantially present. |
| Communion | Union with Christ and His Body, the Church. |
| Mission | Sent forth to live Eucharistic love in the world. |
Key texts: Luke 22 · John 6 · Heb 9–10 · 1 Cor 10–11 · CCC 1322–1419.
Study Exercise:
Compose a short apologetic summary (300 words) showing:
Biblical roots of sacrifice;
Continuity in the Fathers;
Meaning of transubstantiation;
Personal implications for daily holiness.
Common Questions & Replies
| Question | Catholic Response |
| “Why call it a sacrifice if Jesus died once?” | Because the one sacrifice is eternal; the Mass makes it present (Heb 9:24). |
| “Aren’t we adding to the Cross?” | No. We participate in it; nothing new is added, everything is applied. |
| “Why a priesthood at all?” | Christ’s priesthood is shared ministerially so His sacrifice can be made present sacramentally. |
| “Isn’t this just symbolism?” | The early Church’s unanimous belief contradicts that; symbols point, sacraments effect. |
| “Why adore the host?” | Because it is Christ Himself, whole and entire (CCC 1378). |
Catechism and Magisterial References
CCC 1322–1419 – The Eucharist in the life of the Church.
Trent, Session XXII – Doctrine on the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Mysterium Fidei (Paul VI, 1965).
Ecclesia de Eucharistia (John Paul II, 2003).
Sacramentum Caritatis (Benedict XVI, 2007).
Further Reading for Catechists
St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae III q. 73-83.
St Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 22.
Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.
Brant Pitre, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist.
Scott Hahn, The Lamb’s Supper.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
true Victim and eternal High Priest,
I adore the mystery of Your Eucharistic love.
Accept my mind, my heart, and my daily work
as part of Your continual offering to the Father.
May I live from the altar and return to the world
bearing Your mercy and truth. Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 