Discover the Miraculous Power of the Eucharist for Your Eternal LifeThe Eucharist not only expresses communion in the life of the Church, but is also a project of solidarity for the benefit of all humanity, according to Bishop Vital Corbellini of Marabá, PA.
Corpus Christi: The Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
During the solemnity of Corpus Christi, we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. ChristIt is a great ecclesial feast and essential nourishment for eternal life. On this day, communities take the sacramentalized Lord to the streets, where he is adored and blesses everyone, asking for graces of peace and love.
Reflections of St. John Paul II
In 2004, São John Paul II, in his apostolic letter, called on the episcopate, clergy and faithful to reflect on the centrality of the sacrament of the Eucharist in the ecclesial community and in human history. The Eucharist is a mission project towards others, reflecting the centrality of Christ in the life of the Church and in humanity.
Thanksgiving in the Early Community
In the early community, the Eucharistic celebration and the sharing of food were known as agape, or fraternal supper. The Eucharist, the Greek word for thanksgiving, was central to community and spiritual life, representing the breaking of bread and the union of the faithful.
The Didache and the Celebration of Unity
The Didache, an important document from the apostolic period, emphasized the celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday, the Lord's Day. The celebration was held in a context of reconciliation, where the faithful gathered to break bread and give thanks for the benefits they had received.
Blessing over Bread and Wine
The Didache also included a prayer of thanksgiving over the bread and the cup: "We thank you, Father holyBut to us you have given spiritual food and drink, and eternal life through your servant".
Saint Clement and Concord
St. Clement, Bishop of Rome, in his Letter to the CorinthiansHe called for peace and concord among the members of the community, emphasizing unity in Christ and the importance of the Eucharist as a means of reconciliation and communion.
St. Ignatius of Antioch and Charity
St. Ignatius of Antioch saw the Eucharist as praise and supplication to God, demanding faith and charity. He highlighted the importance of the bishop in the Eucharistic celebration and the effects of the Eucharist on unity and victory over the forces of evil.
The Eighth Day and the Eucharistic Celebration
The Barnabasin the second century, spoke of the eighth day, Sunday, as the day of the resurrection of Christ. Jesusmarking the Eucharistic celebration and the new creation.
St. Justin of Rome and the Sunday Celebration
St. Justin of Rome described the Sunday celebration, where the faithful gathered to read the gospels, pray and share the consecrated bread and wine, which represented the body and blood of Christ.
Theology of the Eucharist
St. Justin developed a theology of the Eucharist, affirming that the consecrated bread and wine were the body and blood of Christ, a connection with Jesus made flesh for salvation.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons and the Centrality of the Eucharist
Saint Irenaeus of Lyons insisted on the centrality of the Eucharist in the vision of the world and history, criticizing the Gnostics and emphasizing the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist as a vehicle of grace.
Tertullian and the Sacrament
Tertullian, one of the first Latin writers, spoke of the Eucharist as a sacrament and a conviviality, emphasizing the real presence of Christ and the importance of Eucharistic communion.
Origen and Spiritual Food
Origen valued the Eucharist as spiritual food, recognizing the presence of Christ in the species of bread and wine and highlighting the importance of the remission of sins.
The Eucharist: Source of Life and Communion
The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's passion, death and resurrection, carried out in union with the Church. It is a divine food that prepares for eternal life and strengthens communion among the faithful, encouraging the practice of charity and overcoming temptations.
