Lecture plan for Eucharist in English

1. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 1
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
There are Seven Sacraments that were given to us. These sacraments touch all the important stage and important moments of life. The Seven Sacraments are divided into three groups.
We will continue today with the third sacrament of initiation: Holy Communion or Eucharist.
What exactly is the Sacrament of Holy Communion or Eucharist?
The word Eucharist is a Greek word that means “Thanksgiving”. Eucharist refers to having the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus present when receiving the Eucharist. During mass Jesus urges us to receive him as the apostles did at the last supper. The father reads the scripture that Jesus said at the last supper, when the father is preparing for communion.
Just like the Sacrament of Reconciliation you are able to receive more than once you are also able to receive communion more than once. However one must receive communion weekly.

2. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 2
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
What are the symbols of the Sacrament of Eucharist or Communion?
The symbols are
1. Altar
2. Loaf of Bread
3. Meal
4. Wine
5. Wine & Water
What are the rituals during the ceremony of Communion?
Rituals
1. Bringing gifts to the altar
2. Presenting the bread
3. Breaking the bread
4. Participation
What else is there to Communion?
Eucharist or Communion
1. How do you prepare for communion?
2. What happens if we do not receive communion?
3. Why do we need to receive communion?
4. Can non-Christians receive communion?
5. How do we receive communion?

3. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 3
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
Altar
Table where Jesus gathered his disciples at the Last Supper
Loaf of Bread
Source of life as a basic food and symbol of unity as all eat of the one bread

4. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 4
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
Meal
Wine
Sign of brothers and sisters united in Christ
Festive sign of joy

5. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 5
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
Wine and Water
Wine=Christ
Water=People
Wine +Water=People united to Christ
Bringing gifts to the Altar
Builds a bridge to the Eucharistic prayer

6. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 6
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
Presenting the bread
Calls attention to an important moment about to happen

7. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 7
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
Breaking the Bread
Jesus’ body was broken before he died

8. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 8
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
Participation
People share in the celebration with the priest to partake in the ancient ritual

9. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 9
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
How do you prepare for communion?
As Catholics we want to have a good relationship with Christ and grow our faith. Receiving the Eucharist is a way of becoming closer to Christ. Before we can receive Eucharist we must be free of any grave or mortal sin. If we are not then we “eateth and drinketh dmnation”(St.Paul) to ourselves. If you have committed a mortal sin then you must participate in the Sacrament of Confession.
What happens if we do not receive communion?
If we cannot:
 Receive Holy Communion physically
 Make it to mass
 Need to go to Confession first
Then we can pray an Act of Spiritual Communion. Where we express our faith in Christ His Presence in the Eucharist and ask him to unite himself with us. A spiritual communion is not sacramental. We utilize this to strengthen us until we can receive the Eucharist. Remember it is not a replacement for receiving the Eucharist.
An Act of Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

10. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 10
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
What are the effects of the Sacrament of Holy Communion?
When we receive Holy Communion the effects are spiritually and physically.
Spiritually
Our souls become more united to Christ.
The more we receive Holy Communion the more our love for God and neighbors increases. Causing us to express ourselves in action, making us more like Christ himself.
Physically
Holy Communion relieves us of our passions especially sexual sins. When receiving the body and blood of Christ cleanses our bodies.
We are reminded of what Jesus did for us during his lifetime on earth in particular the last supper. Jesus’ final meal was with the apostles. A meal that we can remember him in a good way.
Can non-Christians receive communion?
We can welcome those who do not share our faith in Christ. However they cannot receive Communion we ask them to pray for the peace and the unity of the human family (bishops’ guidelines).
Non-Christians have not received baptism the sacrament that is a gateway to the other sacraments. They can receive Communion in emergency situations.

11. D . V a s q u e z E u c h a r i s t o r C o m m u n i o n P a g e | 11
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Communion.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/our-faith/sacraments/eucharist-holy-communion-http://
www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
How do we receive communion?
Communion can be received in two forms either in the hand or on the tongue. Around the year A.D. 390, Cyril of Jerusalem indicated that the early Church practiced Communion in the hand when he instructed his audience: "Approaching, therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or thy fingers open; but make thy left hand as if a throne for thy right, which is on the eve of receiving the King. And having hallowed thy palm, receive the body of Christ, saying after it, ‘Amen.’ Then after thou hast with carefulness hallowed thine eyes by the touch of the holy body, partake thereof; giving heed lest thou lose any of it; for what thou losest is a loss to thee as it were from one of thine own members. For tell me, if anyone gave thee gold dust, wouldst thou not with all precaution keep it fast, being on thy guard against losing any of it, and suffering loss?" (Catechetical Lectures 23:22).
Receiving Communion in the hand was allowed starting on July 25, 1977. After that the communicant is the only one who decides what method they prefer. The priest, deacon, acolyte, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion cannot force a method upon you.
Once you receive Holy Communion it is appropriate to kneel down and thank him.