Does Holy Communion unite our souls more closely to Jesus?

Mission Lab

Yes, Holy Communion unites our souls to Jesus’ divine and human natures. It is an article of faith that the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar is truly, really, and substantially the Body and Blood of Christ, together with His soul and divinity. Therefore, when we receive Holy Communion, we receive the real, physical Body and Blood of Christ, together with …

Does Holy Communion increase our love for God?

Mission Lab

Yes, Holy Communion is a source of the Theological Virtue of charity. The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament which most fittingly increases man’s love for God, because it was begun and inspired by God’s love for man. St. John pointed to that love when he wrote: “When Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world …

Does Holy Communion increase our love of neighbor?

Mission Lab

Yes, since Holy Communion increases sanctifying grace in our souls, it also increases our love of neighbor. In Holy Communion, we are united directly to Jesus Christ, and through Him, to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, Who are in Him. We also are united with Him and through Him to all His members, and especially to those who …

Why is Holy Communion a pledge of future glory?

Mission Lab

Holy Communion gives us a pledge of future glory because it establishes sacramental contact between Jesus Christ, Who reigns in glory, and ourselves on earth. The glory which is reserved for us in Heaven is twofold—the glory of the soul and the glory of the body. The glory of the soul consists in the Beatific Vision of God. God communicates …

Why does Jesus become present in the Holy Eucharist?

Mission Lab

Jesus becomes present in the Holy Eucharist to renew the sacrifice of Calvary in an unbloody manner on our altars, to nourish our souls in Holy Communion, and to remain bodily among us by His Real Presence in our tabernacles. Faith teaches us that Jesus Christ is truly, really, and substantially present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, under the veil …

Why is the Holy Eucharist reserved in our churches?

Mission Lab

The Holy Eucharist is reserved in our churches in order to greatly enhance our adoration of Jesus and to increase our love for others. It is also reserved in the churches in order to be taken to the sick. The Jewish Passover of the Old Covenant was a symbol of the Holy Eucharist of the New Covenant. Jesus surpassed and …

What do we owe to Jesus, reserved in the Blessed Sacrament?

Mission Lab

We owe gratitude, adoration, and devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus, reserved in the Blessed Sacrament. Our devotion is expressed in visits to the tabernacle in our churches, at Benediction, and in Eucharistic processions. Benediction is a brief ceremony in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for the people to adore and reverence. After the period of adoration, the …

Why is the Holy Eucharist the center of all sacramental life?

Mission Lab

The Holy Eucharist is the center of all sacramental life because It unites and strengthens the Church. Baptism is the beginning of our Christian life. It initiates us into the life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but we must grow ever more alive in this divine life by praying, receiving the sacraments, hearing the Word of God, serving …

How do lay people participate in the Mass?

Mission Lab

Lay people participate in the Mass by the reception of Holy Communion, and by fully exercising their status as members of the priesthood of the faithful. For example, they offer the Victim, Jesus Christ, and themselves, not only through the hands of the priest, but also with him.

Why is the Mass both a sacrifice and a sacred meal?

Mission Lab

The Mass is both a sacrifice and a sacred meal because it is an unbloody representation of the sacrifice of the Cross; in application of its sacred power, the Lord is immolated in the Sacrifice of the Mass. When the words of consecration are said, this immolation (sacrifice of Christ) becomes present in a sacramental form under the appearances of …