The Eucharist

Eucharist in the Catholic Church: Definition, Meaning, and Spiritual Role

At Tri-Parish Catholic Communities — serving Ballston Lake, Glenville, and Scotia, NY — the Eucharist is at the very heart of our spiritual life.

As the source and summit of the Christian life, the Eucharist brings us together in unity, thanksgiving, and love. The term Eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. It reminds us that every celebration of the Mass is an offering of gratitude for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Through the Eucharist, we encounter the real presence of Christ and are nourished to live out our faith in daily life. We invite you to join us in this sacred celebration and experience the grace that flows from Christ’s table.

All are welcome to worship with us and grow in communion with God and one another.

Understanding the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

In the Catholic celebration of the Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion or the Mass, Catholics believe that the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This transformation happens through the power of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the priest during the consecration.

This sacred mystery is known as the Real Presence—meaning that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist: body, blood, soul, and divinity. Although the appearances of bread and wine remain, Catholics believe the glorified Christ, who rose from the dead, is fully and wholly present in the consecrated elements.

The doctrine of the Real Presence is central to Catholic faith and worship, highlighting the deep spiritual meaning of the Holy Eucharist and its role in bringing believers into communion with Christ.

"What does the Eucharist represent?

The Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, is the foundation and summit of the Catholic faith. The term "Eucharist" comes from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning "thanksgiving" or "gratitude." It represents a sacred act of worship and a profound expression of Christian belief.

One of the most essential doctrines in Catholicism is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. According to Catholic teaching, during the celebration of the Mass, the bread and wine used in the Eucharist are transformed into the actual Body and Blood of Christ. This change occurs through the power of the Holy Spirit and the consecration performed by the priest.

While the outward appearances of bread and wine remain, Catholics believe that Jesus is truly present—body, blood, soul, and divinity. This mystery of faith emphasizes the Eucharist as more than a symbol; it is a real and living presence of the Risen Christ, making it a central element of Catholic worship and devotion.

Through receiving the Eucharist, believers enter into a deeper spiritual communion with Christ, experiencing His grace in a tangible and transformative way.

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4:00pm - St. Joseph's

Saturday

6:00pm - Immaculate Conception

9:00am - Immaculate Conception

Sunday

11:00am - Our Lady of Grace

Where the Eucharist is referenced in the Bible?

On the evening before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ gathered with His disciples for what is now known as the Last Supper. During this sacred meal, Jesus established the sacrament of the Eucharist, offering His Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine.

This divine act was not only a powerful moment of communion with His followers but also the beginning of a sacred tradition. Through the Institution of the Eucharist, Jesus made it possible for the sacrifice of the Cross to be present throughout time, allowing the Church to continually remember and participate in His death and resurrection.

The Institution of the Holy Eucharist is recorded in all four Gospel accounts, affirming its foundational role in Christian faith and Catholic liturgy. These scriptural passages reveal Christ’s intention to remain with His Church in a real and sacramental way through the Holy Communion.