The Eucharist
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The Sacrament of the Eucharist
The Eucharist is the source and summit of Catholic life. At Mass, we gather as the Body of Christ to give thanks, hear God’s Word, and receive Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. Nourished by His Body and Blood, we are strengthened to live as disciples in our families, parishes, and communities.
In the Diocese of Portland, children receive First Eucharist together with Confirmation in what is called the restored order. This practice celebrates the sacraments of initiation in their traditional sequence—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist—and reminds us that the Eucharist completes Christian initiation and nourishes a lifelong journey with Christ.
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The Liturgy of the Eucharist
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Preparation of the Gifts
During the celebration of Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the altar and the gifts. Members of the assembly bring forward bread and wine, which will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The priest offers prayers of blessing and praise to God and places the gifts on the altar, the center of the Eucharistic sacrifice. Monetary gifts for the support of the Church and care for those in need may also be presented. This preparation concludes with the Prayer over the Offerings, which prepares the assembly for the Eucharistic Prayer.
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Eucharistic Prayer is the central prayer of the Mass. During this prayer, the priest acts in the person of Christ, gathering not only the bread and wine but also the lives, struggles, and hopes of the people. These are united with Christ’s perfect sacrifice and offered to God the Father.
The prayer begins with a dialogue that reminds us this is the prayer of the whole Church and a prayer of thanksgiving. The Eucharistic Prayer is addressed to the Father and offered through Christ, with the priest presiding and all the baptized participating as members of Christ’s Body.
Throughout the prayer, the priest speaks in the first person plural, using “we.” This reflects that the entire assembly joins in the offering. Together, we offer not only the bread and wine, but ourselves, our efforts to grow in holiness, and our commitment to serve God’s people. Joined to Christ’s sacrifice, our imperfect offering becomes a perfect act of praise and thanksgiving.
Bishop Ruggieri’s Podcast: The Miraculous Nature of the Eucharist (Catechism Series Part 24) - Auspice Maria Ep. 54 | Diocese of Portland
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