“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.”
“At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.’” (CCC 1323)
The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” Through the two-fold manifestation of the Word and the Body and Blood, the Mass is where Christians are fed by God’s life-giving presence and participate fully in the saving events of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (i.e. the Paschal Mystery). Rightly called “communion,” it is the sacrament by which Christians are bound at once to God and to each other in a transforming union to the Body of Christ.
Given its importance in the life of the Church, the Church requires weekly participation in the Sacrament of the Eucharist; the Mass, however, is offered every day and at all times throughout the world.
Furthermore, it is the practice of the Church to spend time in Adoration of this great mystery of Christ’s Presence. Thus, public Exposition of the Eucharist is held periodically throughout the Church.
Preparation for the first reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist is conducted through the Parish School of Religion (PRS), typically administered in the third grade with the Sacrament of Confirmation, or for adults through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
For Mass times during the weekend and throughout the week, please consult the sacramental schedule for the Cathedral Parish. To schedule a Mass intention or for any further questions, please contact our parish office at 217-877-4404 or consult our FAQs.