The Mass is the pinnacle liturgy of the Catholic Church, in which bread and wine are consecrated and become the Eucharist: the real, true and substantial Body and Blood of Jesus Christ the Savior.
The Eucharist is at the heart of the Mass, as the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Christian life (CCC 1324).
The Christian faithful gather at Mass to worship the Lord in the Eucharist and to celebrate the “sacred banquet of communion with the Lord’s body and blood” (CCC 1382).
Through the Mass, and particularly through the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross is made present on the altar, which Christ made possible when he instituted the memorial of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.
The Mass – also known as the Eucharistic Sacrifice – is “wholly directed toward the intimate union of the faithful with Christ,” which occurs when the faithful consume the body and blood of Christ.
For a deeper overview of the Mass
Not a Catholic?
We ask that you refrain from taking the bread or wine because receiving it indicates your unity of belief with all other Catholics that the bread and wine contains the True Presence of Jesus Christ.
If you are not a Catholic, you are welcome to come up to receive a blessing during the distribution of the Eucharist. To do so, when you come up front with everyone else, instead of taking the bread or wine, simply place your arms across your chest to indicate to the priest that you’d like to receive a blessing. In this way, the priest will bless you and you can invite Jesus spiritually into your heart.
If you are interested in becoming Catholic, please let us know! We’d be happy to journey with you.