The Eucharist
As Catholics, we believe that Christ instituted Himself as “true food” for our life (John 6:54). Thus, in every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, He is made present to us fully and substantially. In the Eucharist (Greek for “thanksgiving”), He is truly present–the Body of Christ, the Blood of Christ, the Soul of Christ, the Divinity of Christ–all in the Eucharist.
Such a bold belief, no wonder it can be a divisive issue. But indeed, this is what the Church has taught and has believed for two millenia. Even the Early Church Fathers wrote on the Eucharist in this context.
The Church stands to the doctrine of transubstantiation to define the process of the bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood. This doctrine is wholly Catholic and is not accepted by Protestant churches (who fail to believe in the substantial presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament).
The Second Vatican Council states “the Eucharistic sacrifice is the source and summit of the Christian life.” It is of the utmost importance to treat this topic with reverence and respect. While pages upon pages can and have been written about the Eucharist, this is just a very brief overview. Consult a Catechism or Catholic Encyclopedia for further reading.
