The Eucharist is the foundation and heart of the Church. From the very beginning and throughout the entire history of the Church, the Eucharist has been the central element of our liturgy. We see this in Scripture:

  • Last Supper – Jesus institutes the Eucharist as the fulfillment of the Passover and the beginning of the Pascal Sacrifice (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:17-25, Luke 22:15-20).
  • Journey to Emmaus – Jesus, on the day of His resurrection, celebrates the Mass with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:15-35 ).
  • Pentecost – On Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit descended and the first day the Apostles went out to evangelize the Gospel, 3,000 are converted. These first converts devoted themselves to the Eucharist from the very beginning (Acts 2:38-42).
  • Instruction on the Eucharist – The Blessed Sacrament is so important to Jesus that our Lord personally taught Paul about the Eucharist (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
  • Mass in Troas – Paul is recorded celebrating Mass in Troas. During the Mass, Paul raises a boy who fell to his death, but Paul and the people focus on the miracle of the Eucharist, not the resurrection of the boy, as the great miracle (Acts 20:6-12).

The Bible is clear on the Eucharist, and we can see the early Church consistently and universally understood and accepted what Jesus taught. Starting with St. Ignatius of Antioch in the early 100’s, we have consistent writings from the Church Fathers for centuries teaching the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and placing the Mass at the center of Christian life.

Pope Benedict XVI

“In every age of the Church’s history the Eucharistic celebration, as the source and summit of her life and mission, shines forth in the liturgical rite in all its richness and variety.”

Source: Pope Benedict XVI, SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS (Sacrament of Charity), 2/22/2007