Course 2, Chapter 37: Of union with our Lord, the new Adam, by Communion. — The Eucharist

1. What is the Eucharist?

The Eucharist is a sacrament which contains truly, really and substantially, the body, the blood, the soul, and the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the species or forms of bread and wine. The fathers of the church called the Eucharist also the continuation of the mystery of the incarnation, because our Lord in it renews in some manner for each of us the wonders of his incarnation.

2. What is the name given to this adorable sacramerit?

From the first ages several names have been given to this adorable sacrament, such as the Breaking of bread; the Eucharist or thanksgiving; Communion^ because therein we are intimately united to our Lord; Viaticum, because it is the food of man traveling to eternity.

3. What is the matter of the Eucharist?

Bread and wine are the matter of the Eucharist; because our Lord, for the consecration of his body and blood, took bread and blessed it, saying, This is my body, and then he took wine, and blessed it, saying, Thix is my blood.

4. Why has our Lord chosen bread and wine for the matter of the Eucharist?

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A. Our Lord has chosen bread and wine for the matter of the Eucharist, to teach us, 1st, that his body and blood must be the food of our soul, as bread and wine are the food of our body; 2d, that the end of the sacrament is to unite us intimately with him and with our brethren.

5. What is the form of the Eucharist?

The form of the Eucharist are the words of consecration which the priest pronounces at mass.

6. What takes place at the moment of consecration?

At the moment of consecration the bread and wine are really and entirely changed into the body and blood of our Lord. This change is called Transubatantiation. That which afterwards appears to our senses, as the color, the figure, and the taste, is but the form and appearance.

7. Is our Lord whole and entire in the Eucharist under each form?

Yes, our Lord is whole and entire in the Eucharist under each form, both as God and man; for our Lord is so under the forms of the Eucharist that he cannot be divided.

8. What are the effects of the holy communion?

1st, the communion gives us the life of the new Adam. He, says the Saviour, that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life; 2d, it unites us corporally and spiritually to our Lord, in a union so intimate that a father of the church compares it to two pieces of wax melted together; 3d, it weakens the ardor of concupiscence, strengthens the soul, and communicates to our body the principle of a glorious resurrection.

9. What are the dispositions for communion?

The dispositions for communion are two-fold, those of the body and those of the soul. The dispositions of the body are fasting and modest deportment. Those of the soul are, to be in a state of grace, which is necessary to avoid sacrilege, and, in order to com-

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municate with more fruit we must have a lively faith, and a great desire of onr spiritual improvement.

10. What sin would he commit who would communicate with a mortal sin on his conscience?

He would commit a horrid sacrilege. The means to avoid this misfortune is to make a good confession; and the means to communicate piously, is to meditate on these three questions: Who is it that comes to us? Who are we to whom he comes? Why does he come to us? And after communion to make our thanksgiving with great recollection.

11. Is it necessary to receive communion?

It is necessary to receive communion, for our Lord and the church make it an obligation.