After two thousand years, the Church has a tremendous number of great resources to learn about the Eucharist. Studying these resources can help deepen our faith, but knowledge is not the goal. We must never lose sight of the Person of Jesus in the Eucharist. We strive to learn so we can better know and love Our Lord.
This page has just a small selection of resources. There is so much more, and additional resources will be added to this page in the future.
If you are looking for a place to start, consider the videos and podcasts. Bp. Robert Barron, Dr. Brant Pitre and Dr. Scott Hahn do a great job of sharing their knowledge and love of the Eucharist.
After the videos and podcasts, consider the meditations by St. John Vianney and St. Alphonsus Liguori. Both are wonderful and express the magnificence of the Eucharist beautifully. They are written to be meditations for Adoration and offer short reflections easy to read in small chunks. The love these saints have for the Eucharist is amazing and truly inspiring.
Finally, the Encyclicals offer great insight into the Eucharist. They are a little more difficult to read, but their depth and richness is beautiful.
Encyclicals
There have been three encyclicals dedicated to the Eucharist. All three are excellent resources and beautifully present the Blessed Sacrament.
ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA, Pope St. John Paul II (4/17/2003)
MYSTICI CORPORIS CHRISTI, Pope Pius XII (6/29/1943 )
MIRAE CARITATIS, Pope Leo XIII, (5/28/1902)
Other Papal Writings
There are a tremendous number of Papal documents that talk about the Eucharist. Below are a couple that are wonderful Eucharistic resources.
SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS, Pope Benedict XVI
DOMINICAE CENAE, Pope St. John Paul II
Doctrinal Documents
Below are some of the major doctrinal writings that articulate Catholic belief on the Eucharist.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Council of Trent – Session XIII
Council of Trent – Session XXII
Writings of Saints
We have a treasure trove of writings on the Eucharist from the Saints. Below are a few I have found valuable. In particular, the meditations from St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. John Vianney are phenomenal. They can be used as a morning reflection, meditation during Adoration or for study anytime. The beauty of their writing is amazing, and their love of the Eucharist pours out of these books.
Letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch (written around 100-110 AD)
St. Cyril of Jerusalem – Catechetical Lectures (written around 350 AD)
Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St.Alphonsus Liguori (mid-1700’s)
Eucharistic Meditations of the Cure d’Ars, St. John Vianney (mid-1800’s)
The Divine Eucharist, St. Peter Julian Eymard (mid-1800’s)
Videos/Podcasts
We live in a golden age. In the 4th century, if we wanted to hear St. Cyril teach about the Eucharist, we would have had to go to Jerusalem to where he was preaching. In the 6th century, we could have heard Pope St. Gregory the Great, but only if we were in Rome. The same is true of all the saints. Today, we can listen to Bishops, Priests, Deacons and lay theologians whenever we want. There are so many great Catholic speakers who are placing talks on YouTube today. We are truly blessed. Below are few talks on the Eucharist I have found helpful and inspiring.
Lord, to whom should we go?, Bp. Robert Barron
Bread of Life, Bp. Robert Barron
Homily and Eucharistic Procession at Mundelein Seminary, Bp. Robert Barron
Jesus & the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, Dr. Brant Pitre
Understading the Eucharist (pt 1), Dr. Scott Hahn
Understading the Eucharist (pt 2), Dr. Scott Hahn
Understading the Eucharist (pt 3), Dr. Scott Hahn
Websites
EWTN Questions on the Eucharist
Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Sacrament of the Eucharist
Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist
Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist
Image:
Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, before 1465 – about 1541), Procession for Corpus Christi, about 1510 – 1520, Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment, Leaf: 23.2 x 16.7 cm (9 1/8 x 6 9/16 in.), The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles