Eucharist
The Eucharist is the third sacrament we receive as a Catholic Christian. It is commemorating the Last Supper, in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed.
Rites of the Eucharist:
- Lords Prayer
- Sign of peace
- Bread is broken and wine is poured
- Invitation to eat and drink
- Procession
- Communal silence
Ministers of the Eucharist:
- priest
- bishop
- decons can distribute
- certain lay people can distribute
Form of the Eucharist:
- "Take this, all of you, and EAT of it: for this is my body which will be given up for you"
- "Take this, all of you, and drink from it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins."
- "Do this in memory of me"
Matter of the Eucharist:
- Wheaten bread
- Eucharistic wine
Adoration:
Adoration is when we go to the church and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. One of the first references to reserving the Eucharist for adoration is found in the life of St. Basil, who is said to have divided the Eucharistic bread into 3 parts. One part he consumed, the second part he gave to the monks, and the third he placed in a golden dove-shaped container suspended over the altar. Next, the Franciscan archives credit St. Francis of Assisi for starting Eucharistic Adoration in Italy. It spread from Umbria to other parts of Italy by the Franciscans. Then, the theological basis for the adoration was prepared by Pope Gregory VII, who was instrumental in affirming the tenet that Christ is present in the Eucharist. Following the Council of Trent, figures like St. Charles Borromeo and St. Alain de Solminihac promoted Eucharistic devotion and adoration. As part of the simplification of Church interiors, and to emphasize the importance of the Eucharist, Charles Borromeo initiated the practice of placing the tabernacle at a higher, central location in the main altar. The beginning of the 19th century witnessed a strong emphasis on Eucharistic piety, devotions and adorations. Venerable Leo Dupont initiated the nightly adoration of the Eucharist in Tours in 1849, from where it spread within France. St. Anthony Mary Claret was also a fervent promoter of Eucharistic devotion and adoration and introduced the practice to Cuba. The practice of prolonged Eucharistic adoration also spread to the US in the 19th century and St. John Neumann the Archbishop of Philadelphia started 40 Hours adorations there, where it continues to date.
Adoration at Kellenberg and Church:
Adoration at Kellenberg is offered the first Wednesday of every month at XLT. Adoration at my parish, Cure of Ars, is offered every week during their "Holy Hour".
Eucharistic Miracle:
At the Corporal of Bolsena in the 13th century, a priest was experiencing doubts about transubstantiation was celebrating mass in Orvieto, Italy. Soon after he had consecrated the Eucharist, the host started bleeding onto the corporal on the altar. The priest ran to the pope who was visiting the town and confessed his sin of doubt. The corporal remains on display in the Cathedral of Orvieto.