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226 • Part II. The Sacraments: The Faith Celebrated
and bones, but rather our very selves. This, then, is a spiritual sacrifice.
How can we do this?
In the Eucharistic Prayer, we hear that Jesus took the bread, blessed
it, broke it, made it his Body, and gave it for our salvation. One way
of identifying with this is to pray, “Lord, take me. Bless me. Break me.
Make me a part of your saving, sacrificial gift for the world’s bodily and
1. What happens at the consecration in the Mass?
By the consecration, the transubstantiation of the
bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is
brought about. Under the consecrated species of bread
and wine, Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in
a true, real and substantial manner: His Body and Blood,
with his soul and divinity. (CCC, no. 1413; Council of Trent:
DS 1640, 1651)
2. What are the effects of Holy Communion?
Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases
the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his
venial sins, and preserves him from grave sins. Since
receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity
between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces
the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ.
(CCC, no. 1416)
3. Why is it valuable to visit the Blessed Sacrament?
Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the
altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration.
“To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude,
an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward
Christ our Lord.” (CCC, no. 1418; Pope Paul VI,
Mystery of
Faith
, no. 66)
FROM THE CATECHISM