The Holy Eucharist
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul says that we proclaim the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus in every Eucharist. It is, until the day of his return in glory, the memorial of his paschal mystery. Centuries later, Saint Augustine of Hippo, one of Catholicism's greatest theologians and bishops, said simply, "Every Sunday is a little Easter."
As a help to spiritual growth and to an ever deepening union with Christ, and as a precious gift of the Lord to his church, the Eucharist, and especially the Sunday (dominical) Eucharist is the central sacrament of our Christian life. It increases the life we were given in baptism and inspires the church's mission of evangelization and building the kingdom of God.
The Catholic Church possesses a richness and diversity of insights into this important mystery. It is a treasure to be prayed and reflected upon.
BENEDICT XVI ON THE EUCHARIST
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis
INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESSES
The Eucharist: God's Gift for the Life of the World
June 15-22, 2008, Québec, Province Québec, Canada
CHURCH DOCUMENTS
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Second Vatican Council
The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, USCCB (PDF)
Nine Questions on Eucharistic Adoration, USCCB (PDF)
JOHN PAUL II ON THE EUCHARIST
Instruction on Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery
On the Holy Eucharist (Dominicae Cenae)
Eucharistic HYMN OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
Lauda Sion (PDF)
