The Divine Sacrifice
Through Which We Have Been Redeemed
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son . . .
...To die a most violent, shameful, humiliating death - nailed to a cross.
...As a necessary sacrifice to redeem all humanity from the power of the evil one.
...As the perfect high priest, Christ, at one point in historic time, offered himself to the Father in a bloody manner to redeem us. Christ is also the perfect victim - God's innocent Lamb, by whose blood we have been purchased to share in the rewards of eternal life.
...Who, as the Lamb of God in each Mass today, is offered again to the Father in an unbloody manner by priests throughout the world. The reality is Christ's actual presence - body and blood, soul and divinity - in the consecrated bread and wine.
...Who
is God's gift to the faithful through the Church founded by Christ. The
Holy Eucharist is the central sacrament of the Catholic Faith. It is
the actual body and blood of Christ under the appearances of bread and wine,
given through his Church to
strengthen the faithful to reach heaven.
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
This
is our daily bread; take it daily, that it may profit you daily. Live, as
to deserve to receive it daily.
St. Augustine of Hippo
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
In a union that is true and real, we are transformed into him. Drinking of the divine essence in that sea, one takes into oneself all that one is ever able to receive, for in God all things are found. St. Charles of Sezze
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
A soul can do nothing that is more pleasing to God than to receive him in communion in a state of grace. St. Alphonsus Liguori
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Of course you are unworthy. But when do you hope to be worthy? You will be no more worthy at the end than at the beginning. All the good works that we could ever do would never make us worthy in this sense, of Holy Communion. God alone is worthy of himself, he alone can make us worthy of him, and he alone can make us worthy with his own worthiness. St. Catherine of Siena
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
Since Christ himself has said, "This is my Body," who shall dare to doubt that it is his Body? St. Cyril of Jerusalem
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
How sweet, the presence of Jesus to the longing harassed soul! It is instant peace and balm to every wound. St. Elizabeth Seton
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Do not, therefore, regard the bread and wine as simply that, for they are, according to the Master's declaration, the Body and Blood of Christ. Even though the senses suggest to you the other, let faith make you firm. Do not judge in this matter by taste, but be fully assured by faith, not doubting that you have been deemed worthy of the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
There
is neither past nor present nor future for Jesus Christ. This good Father
knew us all at the Last Supper. He consecrated, as it were in thought and
in desire, all our Hosts; He loved us personally. . . centuries before we were
born. Yes, we were present at the Last supper, and Jesus stored up for us
not one Host but a hundred, a thousand, one for every day of our life. . . Our
Hosts are ready; let us not lose a single one of them.
St. Julian Eymard
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
I would gladly jump into a furnace if I could get a spark of that infinite love which made him give us this great sacrament. St. Dominic Savio
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
We feed on
thee, Lord and drink thee, not to consume thee, but to live by thee.
St. Ephream of Edessa
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
This fountain is a fountain of light, shedding abundant rays of truth. And beside it the powers from on high have taken their stand, gazing on the beauty of its streams, since they perceive more clearly than we the power of what lies before us and its unapproachable dazzling rays. St. John Chrysostom
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Every
day He humbles Himself just as He did when He came from His heavenly throne into
the Virgin's womb; every day He comes to us and lets us see Him in lowliness,
when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at
the altar.
St. Francis of Assisi
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
The
food that has been made the Eucharist by the prayer of His Word, and which
nourishes our flesh and blood by assimilation, is both the Flesh and Blood of
that Jesus who was made flesh.
St. Justin, martyr
The Consecration of the Wine
At
the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your
goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and
drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal
Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For
The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
Upon receiving Holy Communion, the adorable blood of Jesus Christ really flows in our veins and his flesh is really blended with ours. St. Jean Vianney
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is the preserve souls from falling, and to help those who fall from weakness to rise again. Therefore, it is much more profitable to approach the divine sacrament frequently, with love, respect, and confidence, than to keep back from an excess of fear. St. Jeanne de Chantal
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
How
can they say that the flesh, which is nourished with the Body of the Lord and
with His Blood, goes to corruption and does not partake of life? The
bread, which is produced from the earth, receives the invocation of God, and is
no longer common bread but the Eucharist, consisting of two realities, earthly
and heavenly. So also our bodies, when they receive the Eucharist, are no
longer corruptible, having the hope of the resurrection to eternity.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
If it is "daily bread," why do you take it once a year?. . . Take daily what is to profit you daily. Live in such a way that you may deserve to receive it daily. He who does not deserve to receive it daily, does not deserve to receive it once a year. St. Ambrose of Milan
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
As by the word of God, Jesus our savior was made flesh and shed both flesh and blood for our salvation, so also the food which has been blessed by the word of prayer instituted by him is both the flesh and blood of Jesus incarnate. St. Justin, martyr
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Try to gather more frequently to celebrate God's Eucharist and to praise Him. For when you meet with frequency, Satan's powers are overthrown and his destructiveness is undone by the unanimity of your faith. St. Ignatius of Antioch
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Invisible in His own nature, God became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, He chose to come within our grasp. St. Leo the Great, pope
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
Is not the consecration which changes bread and wine into the body and blood of God, a much greater miracle than to raise a dead person to life? St. Jean Vianney
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
The greatest regret we will have in heaven will be to have loved the Eucharist so little and to have given it so little of our time. St. Julian Eymard
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Think now of what kind of choir you are about to enter. Although clothed with a body, you have been judged worthy to join the Powers of heaven in singing the praises of Him who is Lord of all! St. John Chrysostom
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
The longer you stay away from communion, the more your soul will become weak, and in the end you will become dangerously indifferent. St. John Bosco
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
Every fragment of the white host contains Jesus, that is, it contains God, the infinite, the all! With what reverence should we approach the Eucharist! St. Julian Eymard
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
The pleasure Christ takes in being loved, known, and honored by his creatures, is so great that he has promised that all those who are devoted and consecrated to him will never perish. St. Margaret Mary
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
This morning my soul is greater than the world since it possesses you, you whom heaven and earth do not contain. St. Margaret of Cortona
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
It is impossible that if one communicates daily, one should not gradually be delivered even from venial sins and from all attachment to them. St. Pius X, pope
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
When the body is deprived of food it starves and dies; and it is the same with the soul, without the bread which sustains spiritual life. Blessed Theophane Venare
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
Let no one approach this holy altar without reverent devotion and fervent love, without true penitence, or without recalling the mystery of his redemption. St. Thomas Aquinas
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Lord does not come down from heaven every day to lie in a golden chalice. He comes to find another heaven which is infinitely more important to him - the heaven of our souls, created in his image, the living temples of the adorable trinity. St. Teresa of Lisieux
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
After Communion, let us not lose so good an opportunity of negotiation. God does not repay with ingratitude the abode in which he is well received. St. Teresa of Avila
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
Humility Was praised by Christ; and surely in this sacrament he preaches an unrivaled humility, which refuses no dwelling, but consents to come like a guest to any heart, even one that is strained with sin. St. Thomas Aquinas
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
Those honor the Holy Eucharist best who take care to receive it often with pure and upright hearts. St. Robert Bellamine
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
God in his love for our soul and its journey in this life, looked over creation, and found nothing that was worthy of it. He then turned to himself, and resolved to give himself. St. Jean Vianney
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
If I am distracted, Holy Communion helps me to become recollected. If opportunities are offered by each day to offend my God, I arm myself anew each day for the combat by the reception of the Eucharist. If I am in special need of light and prudence in order to discharge my burdensome duties, I draw nigh to my Savior and seek counsel and light from him. St. Thomas More
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
The whole sanctuary and the space before the altar is filled with the heavenly Powers come to honor Him who is present upon the altar. St. John Chrysostom
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
The heart preparing for communion should be as a crystal vial filled with clear water in which the least mite of uncleaness will be seen. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Break one loaf, which is the medicine of immortality, and the antidote that wards off death but yields continuous life in union with Jesus Christ. St. Ignatius of Antioch
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
There is neither past nor present nor future for Jesus Christ. This good Father knew us all at the Last Supper. He consecrated, as it were in thought and in desire, all our Hosts; He loved us personally . . . centuries before we were born. Yes, we were present at the Last supper, and Jesus stored up for us not one Host but a hundred, a thousand, one for every day of our life . . Our Hosts are ready; let us not lose a single one of them. St. Peter Julian Eymard
The Consecration of the Bread
While he was at supper on the night before he died for us, he took bread in his hands, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: For This Is My Body Which Will Be Given Up For You.
The whole sanctuary and the space before the altar is filled with the heavenly Powers come to honor Him who is present upon the altar. St. John Chrysostom
The Consecration of the Wine
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For This Is The Chalice Of My Blood, Of The New And Eternal Testament, - The Mystery Of Faith - Which Shall Be Shed For You And For Many For The Remission Of Sins. Do this in memory of me.
Think now of what kind of choir you are about to enter. Although clothed with a body, you have been judged worthy to join the Powers of heaven in singing the praises of Him who is Lord of all. St. John Chrysostom
The Great Amen
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Try to gather more frequently to celebrate God's Eucharist and to praise Him. For when you meet with frequency, Satan's powers are overthrown and his destructiveness is undone by the unanimity of your faith. St. Ignatius of Antioch
Preparation for Communion
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Every day He humbles Himself just as He did when He came from His heavenly throne into the Virgin's womb; every day He comes to us and lets us see Him in lowliness, when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar. St. Francis of Assisi