Uncover the truth of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Explore answers to common questions about Jesus in the Eucharist — and the most miraculous manifestations of His Real Presence through history.
Frequently Asked Eucharistic Questions
What is the Eucharist?
The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearance of normal bread and wine. Jesus revealed His teaching on the Eucharist in John 6, and every Catholic Mass since the Last Supper, believers adhere to Jesus’ command to consume His Flesh and drink His Blood for eternal life, as stated in John 6:53–57.
Is the Eucharist just a symbol?
In the Bread of Life discourse in John 6, Jesus uses words that only translate to physical consumption. In the original Greek, the word Jesus uses for “eat” is “trogon” which literally means “to gnaw or to chew.” He uses this when He says “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” (John 6:53).” It shocked his disciples and the Jews because He wasn’t using the language of metaphor, and many left him because of it.
How do the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ?
In the Bible, God’s speech gives rise to reality. God spoke the universe into being (Genesis 1:3). Jesus does miracles through speech, like calming the storm (Matthew 8:26) or resurrecting the little girl (Mark 5:41). When He says “This is My Body” and “This is My Blood”, it becomes a reality: the Eucharist. Today, Catholic priests consecrate the Eucharist at Mass through Apostolic Succession, following the Apostles who obeyed Jesus’ command to “do this in memory of Me.” (Luke 22:19–20).
Where is the Eucharist mentioned in the Bible?
- Matthew 26:26-30
- Mark 14:22-26
- Luke 22:14-20
- John 6:22-59 (The Bread of Life Discourse)
Why does Jesus give Himself to us as food and drink?
Jesus gives himself to us as food and drink to give us eternal life and nourish us spiritually, uniting us to Himself through his Humanity and Divinity. Consuming Him in the Eucharist gives us the grace to do His will and the strength to overcome sin and temptation. Frequent, loving reception of the Eucharist transforms us more and more into Himself. This union transforms us and gives us eternal life.
Why do the bread and wine still look and taste like bread and wine after consecration?
Even though the appearance of bread and wine remains, their substance has changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This mystery is known as transubstantiation.
Why is the Eucharist not only a meal but also a sacrifice?
The Eucharist re-presents (makes present) the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, perpetuating its memory throughout the ages and enabling believers to actively participate in Jesus’ sacrifice.
Why is the presence of Christ in the Eucharist called a "mystery"?
The presence of Christ in the Eucharist transcends human understanding and is a profound truth revealed by God that is accepted in faith.
It is a mystery so profound, it confounded his disciples “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (John 6:60) and even sent many away “Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him” (John 6:66).
Eucharistic Miracles
Bleeding Hosts. Shocking scientific discoveries. Explore the miraculous manifestations of Jesus Christ truly Present in the Eucharist — from centuries past to our modern day.
A dropped Host transforms into heart tissue. During a Mass on October 12, 2008, in the Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Sokolka, the Eucharist accidentally fell to the...
Jesus shows His face in the Eucharist. This Eucharistic miracle was verified recently, on May 5, 2001 in Trivandrum, India. In the Host there appeared the likeness of a...