What is the Eucharist?
Understanding the Real Presence of Jesus in the Catholic Faith
If you’ve ever walked into a Catholic church or heard someone mention “the Eucharist,” you might have wondered: What is that? Is it just a religious ceremony? A symbol? A tradition?
The Eucharist is actually at the very heart of Catholic life and worship. In fact, the Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is Jesus Himself—truly present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. That might sound incredible, or even confusing. But the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is as old as the Church itself, rooted in Scripture and handed down from the very beginning.
Let’s walk through what the Eucharist is, where it comes from, and why it matters so much.
What Does “Eucharist” Mean?
The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word eucharistia, which means “thanksgiving.” This word was used in the early Church to describe the sacred meal in which Christians gave thanks to God for the gift of Jesus and His saving death and resurrection.
The term refers both to:
- The sacrament itself (the consecrated bread and wine), and
- The celebration of the Mass, where this sacrament is received.
What Do Catholics Believe About the Eucharist?
Catholics believe that during the Mass, when the priest prays the words of Jesus over the bread and wine—“This is my body… This is my blood”—a miracle happens: the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
This is not a symbol. It’s what Catholics call the Real Presence of Jesus. Though the outward appearance of bread and wine remains, the substance is entirely changed.
What Is Transubstantiation?
The Church uses the word transubstantiation to describe this mysterious change.
The term comes from Latin:
- “Trans-” means “change” or “across”
- “Substantia” means “substance” or “essence”
So transubstantiation means: a change of substance.
While the bread and wine still look, taste, and feel the same, their inner reality is changed. They are no longer ordinary bread and wine but are truly Jesus—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
This word was formally adopted by the Church in the Middle Ages, especially at the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) and reaffirmed at the Council of Trent (1545–1563). It helped explain what Christians had always believed: that the change is real, even though it is hidden from our senses.
What Did Jesus Say About the Eucharist?
The belief in the Real Presence isn’t a later invention—it comes directly from Jesus Himself. At the Last Supper, the night before He died, Jesus shared a meal with His disciples and instituted the Eucharist:
“Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to His disciples said,
‘Take and eat; this is my body.’
Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.’”
— Matthew 26:26–28
Jesus did not say, “This represents my body” or “This is a symbol of my blood.” He said, “This is my body… This is my blood.”
And this wasn’t the first time He taught this. Earlier in His ministry, Jesus gave a powerful and controversial teaching that shocked many of His followers—one that makes it absolutely clear that He meant His words literally.
A Deeper Look at John 6: A Hard Teaching, Literally Meant
In John chapter 6, Jesus speaks to a large crowd and reveals something radical:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
— John 6:51
His listeners are stunned and begin to argue:
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” — John 6:52
Rather than soften the message or explain it symbolically, Jesus presses further. He repeats Himself with even stronger language:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you… For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”
— John 6:53–55
At this point, Jesus uses the Greek word trogo, meaning “to chew” or “gnaw,” making His meaning even more vivid and physical. This wasn’t poetic imagery—He was speaking plainly and deliberately.
And the crowd knew it. Many of His own disciples could not accept what He was saying:
“This is a hard saying. Who can accept it?” — John 6:60
“As a result of this, many of His disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer followed Him.”
— John 6:66
Jesus could have stopped them. He could have said, “Wait! I meant it figuratively!” But He didn’t. He let them go. Why? Because He meant exactly what He said.
This is not like when Jesus says, “I am the vine” or “I am the door.” Those were clearly metaphors. But in John 6, Jesus does not explain away the confusion—He confirms the reality of what He just taught.
Finally, He turns to His Twelve disciples and asks:
“Do you also want to leave?” — John 6:67
Peter responds:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” — John 6:68
This moment captures the heart of Catholic belief: even when we don’t fully understand the mystery, we trust the One who speaks it.
How Did the Early Church Understand the Eucharist?
The first Christians didn’t treat the Eucharist as symbolic. Here are just a couple examples:
St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. ~107 A.D.), a disciple of St. John the Apostle, wrote:
“They abstain from the Eucharist because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ.”
— Letter to the Smyrnaeans
St. Justin Martyr (d. ~165 A.D.) explained:
“We do not receive these as common bread and common drink…
but as Jesus Christ our Savior, having been made flesh.”
This faith in the Real Presence has been constant in the Church for 2,000 years.
What Happens at Mass?
At Mass, Catholics gather to:
- Hear the Word of God through Scripture
- Offer prayers and thanksgiving
- Present bread and wine to be consecrated
- Receive Jesus in Holy Communion
The moment when the priest says Jesus’ words—“This is my body… This is my blood”—is when the bread and wine become Jesus.
Who Can Receive the Eucharist?
To receive the Eucharist, one must:
- Be a baptized Catholic
- Be in a state of grace (free of serious, unconfessed mortal sin)
- Believe in the Real Presence
- Fast for at least one hour beforehand
Mortal sin is a serious sin knowingly and freely committed—such as grave violations of the Ten Commandments—that separates the soul from God’s grace. Catholics who are aware of mortal sin must first go to confession before receiving the Eucharist.
Receiving Communion also expresses full unity with the Catholic Church in belief, worship, and authority. This is why non-Catholics or Catholics in a state of mortal sin should not receive the Eucharist until they are properly prepared.
Why Is This So Important?
The Eucharist is not just a sacred tradition or religious symbol—it is Jesus Himself. He gives Himself to us so that we might be spiritually nourished, strengthened, and united with Him more deeply.
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”
— John 6:56
This is why Catholics call the Eucharist the “source and summit” of the Christian life (Catechism, §1324). Everything flows from it, and everything leads back to it.
Final Thoughts
The Eucharist is the heart of Catholic life because Jesus is at the heart of Catholic life. He gives us His very self—not just once, but every day, on altars around the world.
Whether you are Catholic, curious, or just beginning to explore the faith, know this: the Eucharist is an invitation. Jesus is truly present. And He is waiting for you.
“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:20
