Understanding the Eucharist

The Eucharist is central to the Christian faith, described in (Lumen Gentium no. 11) as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” It is in the Eucharistic Liturgy and in moments of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament that we experience God’s presence in deeply personal and transformative ways. However, the Eucharist is not solely an individual encounter—it also has a profoundly communal and social dimension.

When we gather as a faith community to celebrate the Eucharist, we are reminded of our shared dignity as God’s children. The Eucharist nourishes not only our relationship with God but also our relationships with one another. It calls us to recognize the sacredness of every person, fostering unity, justice, and love within the Church and beyond. Through this sacrament, we are invited to live in right relationship with God, ourselves, and our neighbors, carrying the grace we receive into the world by serving others and promoting the common good.