The Catholic Eucharist

This week at Camp Catholic we are turning our attention to the Holy Eucharist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church sums up the importance of the Eucharist to our faith:

“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian faith.”

What is transubstantiation?

Transubstantiation is the change of the bread and wine into the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It is not just a symbol. It is a complete transformation that occurs during Mass. The Real Presence of Jesus is present in every part of the host, down to the last drop of wine and fragment of bread. 

At the Altar: The Items Used to Celebrate Mass 

Click the graphic to see a larger image. 

Click the photo below to download this printable activity. Notice where these items are used during Mass and then cut, color and paste each item on the altar drawing to match where it was used during Mass.   

What is the point of Eucharistic Adoration?

A special time of visiting with Jesus outside of Mass is known as Eucharistic Adoration. The consecrated host —the Body of Christ —is displayed, for people to quietly visit. Some churches set a special time for this once a week, others once a day. Some keep a 24-hour visit that’s called Perpetual Adoration. At least one adult volunteers to be there at all hours of the day — even at 3 a.m.!

Pope John Paul II said that Jesus’ presence in the Blessed Sacrament should be so dear to people that they should receive and visit Jesus as often as they can. He called the Eucharist “the Church’s treasure.” You can visit the Blessed Sacrament any time Jesus is present. You’ll know He’s there when the sanctuary light (usually a red candle) is lit by the tabernacle.

Monstrance is the name for the sacred vessel that is most often used to display the Body of Christ during Eucharistic adoration. The word “monstrance” comes from the Latin word meaning “to show.”

The lunette is the round glass case that is placed in the center of the monstrance that actually holds the consecrated host. Its name comes from the Latin word for “moon.”

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