“Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you.” —John 6:54
“Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to His disciples, and said: Take, ye, and eat. THIS IS MY BODY.” —Matthew 26:26
Catholics believe the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, and that he is truly present in the Eucharist under the appearance of bread and wine. The Eucharist is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the Real Presence of Jesus, who died for our sins.
“The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice.” —Catechism of the Catholic Church #1367
Eucharistic Reflections by the Saints
“No one may take part in it unless he believes that what we teach is true, and has received Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught.” —St. Justin Martyr (+165)
“As two pieces of wax fused together make one, so he who receives holy communion is so
united with Christ that Christ is in him and he is in Christ.” (St Cyril of Alexandria)
“Every consecrated Host is made to burn itself up with love in a human heart.” (St John
Vianney)
“In one day the Eucharist will make you produce more for the glory of God than a whole
lifetime without it.” (St Peter Julian Eymard)
“If you have received worthily, you are what you have received.” (St Augustine)
“Only Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God and of Mary, is capable of satisfying the deepest
aspirations of the human heart. It is possible to meet the divine Master personally: he is in
fact truly present on the altar in the reality of his Body and Blood. In the Eucharistic
Sacrifice, we can enter into contact with the person of Jesus in a way that is mysterious but
real, drinking at the inexhaustible fountain that is life as the Risen Lord. This is the
stupendous truth, dear friends: the Word, who took flesh two thousand years ago, is present
today in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the Sacrament of the presence of Christ, who gives
himself to us because he loves us. He loves each one of us in a unique and personal way in
our practical daily lives: in our families, among our friends, at study and work, in rest and
relaxation. He loves us when he fills our days with freshness, and also when, in times of
suffering he allows trials to weigh upon us: even in the most severe trials, he lets us hear his
voice…
The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this Sacrament of Love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.” —(Blessed Pope John Paul II)
Adoration of Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament is offered every Thursday and Friday in the Church. For more information on how to become an adorer please click here: https://st-vincentdepaul.org/worship-with-us/eucharistic-adoration/