Full Question
Many Protestants celebrate communion on occasion; Catholics celebrate it at every Mass as an integral part of their worship. If Christ’s death atoned for all sins, why is it celebrated at each Mass?
Answer
The Mass holds the place it does in Catholic worship because becomes of the Real Presence of Christ in the Catholic Eucharist. When Jesus has deigned to become present in that manner, it automatically becomes the most important form of worship.
There are many forms of Catholic worship beside the Mass, and the celebration of the Eucharist is not the only part of the Mass. But it remains the case–and rightly so–that the Mass and the celebration of the Eucharist within the Mass are, as Vatican II put it, “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11).
Were you present more than 2,000 years ago when Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself so that we may have redemption? I was not there and so today I receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ every time I can at Mass. It is our bridge across time which brings us to that moment of Salvific Grace when Jesus Christ died for us. Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood you do not have life in you.
Such a beautiful statement Mr. Moreno, you are so correct. It know I can be that close to my Jesus, is overwhelming.
Holy Communion is celebrated every mass because it is the memory of Christ’s death on the cross for our salvation…When the priest says the prayer of the consecration of the bread, he says ” For this is my body” and the prayer of consecration of the wine- “For this is the chalice of my blood of the new and eternal testament, the mystery of faith; which shall be shed for you and for many unto the remission of sins” ” Do this in memory of me”. The prayer of consecration changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ- the transubstantiation! During the Holy Communion every mass we share the body of Christ as we are members of the corporal body of our Lord!
It is such a religious experience for many Catholics that the church cannot contain them. They eagerly leave prior to the end of the Mass, I assume to start spreading the Good Word…………..
The Eucharist is the most important part of the Mass. It is there that we enter into communion with our Lord. When we partake in the body of Christ He lives in us and helps us to live in Him as He showed us so many years ago. Like St. Paul said “I no longer live but it is Christ who lives in me”.
Abby, may you be enlightened in God’S time.