RCIA Resource – Session 31

The Holy Eucharist — The Sacrifice and the Real Presence

RCIA – Session 31
This session forms part of a structured introduction to the Catholic Faith used in parish RCIA. It is intended to be read slowly and prayerfully, alongside participation in the life of the Church. This material is offered for formation and reflection. Reception into the Catholic Church always involves personal discernment and parish accompaniment.

Aim of this session

By the end of this session, participants should understand that:

  • the Holy Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ
  • the Eucharist is both sacrifice and sacrament
  • Christ is really present, not symbolically only
  • the Eucharist is the centre of the Church’s life
  • Communion unites us to Christ and to the Church

This session asks:

What is the Holy Eucharist — and why does the Church place it at the centre of everything?

1. The Eucharist Is the Heart of the Church

Everything in the Church:

  • leads toward the Eucharist
  • flows from the Eucharist

Baptism begins the life of grace.
Confirmation strengthens it.

The Eucharist:

  • nourishes it
  • sustains it
  • perfects union with Christ

Without the Eucharist, the Church would be incomplete.

2. What the Holy Eucharist Is

The Holy Eucharist is:

The sacrament which contains the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine.

This is not:

  • symbolic language
  • poetic expression
  • devotional exaggeration

It is literal and real.

Penny Catechism

Q. What is the Holy Eucharist?
A. The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament which contains the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the appearances of bread and wine.

3. The Real Presence

After the consecration:

  • the substance of bread and wine is changed
  • Christ Himself is present

This change is total.

What remains:

the appearances of bread and wine

What is changed:

what the bread and wine truly are

Christ is present:

  • whole and entire
  • in every part
  • as long as the appearances remain

This presence is called the Real Presence.

4. Why Christ Chose This Manner of Presence

Christ did not leave us:

  • a memory only
  • a distant presence

He chose:

  • a humble form
  • a sacramental presence

Why?

Because:

  • He desired closeness
  • He desired permanence
  • He desired union

The Eucharist allows Christ to remain with His Church always.

5. The Eucharist as Sacrifice

The Eucharist is not only a presence.

It is also:

The sacrifice of the Cross made present sacramentally.

The Mass does not:

  • repeat Christ’s sacrifice
  • add to it

It:

  • makes the one sacrifice present
  • applies its fruits

The same Christ who offered Himself on the Cross:

offers Himself sacramentally on the altar

Penny Catechism

Q. Is the Holy Eucharist a sacrifice?
A. Yes, the Holy Eucharist is a sacrifice, because it is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross, though offered in an unbloody manner.

6. Holy Communion

In Holy Communion:

  • Christ gives Himself to us
  • not partially, but entirely

Communion:

  • deepens union with Christ
  • strengthens the life of grace
  • unites the faithful to one another

This union is real, not symbolic.

Christ does not give something.
He gives Himself.

7. Reverence and Preparation

Because the Eucharist is Christ Himself:

  • reverence is required
  • preparation matters

The Church teaches that:

  • one must be in a state of grace
  • one must approach with faith

The Eucharist is not ordinary food.
It is heavenly nourishment.

8. Common Difficulties Addressed

“How can this be?”

Christ is God; His power exceeds natural limits.

“Isn’t this symbolic language?”

The Church has always taught the literal truth.

“Why don’t I feel anything?”

Grace is real even without emotion.

9. What Is Being Asked of You Now

At this stage, you are not asked to:

  • receive Communion immediately
  • understand every mystery

You are asked to consider this:

If Christ gives Himself as food, what kind of love is this?

That question leads directly to the Mass itself.

10. Questions for the Week

Reflect quietly during the week:

  • Do I believe Christ is truly present?
  • How does this change my view of worship?
  • What does it mean to be united to Christ bodily and spiritually?

11. Closing Summary

The Holy Eucharist is:

  • Christ Himself
  • sacrifice and sacrament
  • the heart of the Church

Everything leads to the altar.

Next week we will ask:

What is the Mass — and how does it make the sacrifice of Christ present?

Optional Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist,
increase our faith in this great mystery,
and draw us ever more deeply into union with You.
Amen.