1. What is the Blessed Sacrament?
The Blessed Sacrament is the Sacrament which contains the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine.
“He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My blood bath life in him: and I will raise him up in the last day. For My Flesh is meat indeed: and My Blood is drink indeed” (John 6:55, 56)
2. Why is it called “The Blessed Sacrament”?
It is called the Blessed Sacrament because it is the most blessed of all the Sacraments since it is Jesus Himself. It is also called the Holy Eucharist.
“He that eateth My Flesh, and drinketh My Blood abideth in Me, and I in him” (John 6:57).
3. When did Jesus make this Sacrament?
Jesus made the Blessed Sacrament on the night before he died at the Last Supper.
4. How did Jesus make the Blessed Sacrament?
“Whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke, and gave to His disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is My Body. And taking the chalice, He gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is My Blood” (Matthew 26:26-28).
See also Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19, 20 and 1st Corinthians 11:23-26.
5. Did the bread and wine change their appearances?
No, the appearances of the bread and wine (taste, smell, color, size, shape) did not change, even though the bread and wine were changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus.
“The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the Body of the Lord?” (1st Corinthians 10:16).
6. Did Jesus give His Apostles the power to change bread and wine into His Body and Blood?
Yes, Jesus gave His Apostles the power to change bread and wine into His Body and Blood, when He said to them: “Do this for a commemoration of Me” (Luke 22:19).
7. Did Jesus want the Apostles to hand down this power to others?
Yes, Jesus wanted His Apostles to hand down this power to others because He wanted all men to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood.
“Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of man, and drink His Blood, you shall not have life in you” (John 6:54).
8. How did the Apostles hand down this power to others?
The Apostles handed down this power by making other men
Bishops and Priests. See Lesson 27, page 74.
9. When does the Priest change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus?
The Priest changes bread and wine into the Body and Blood f Jesus when he says: “This is My Body. This is My Blood” during Mass.
” And they were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of the bread” (Acts of the Apostles 2:42).
10. Where is the Blessed Sacrament kept?
The Blessed Sacrament is kept in a safe, called a tabernacle, which is on the altar in the church.
And my tabernacle shall be with them: and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Ezechiel 37:27).
11. What is Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is the receiving of the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
“He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood, abideth inMe, and I in him” (John 6:57).
12. At what service do I receive Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is usually received during Holy Mass.
Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift” (2nd Corinthians 9:15).
13. What must I do to receive Holy Communion?
To receive Holy Communion, I must:
1) be a baptized Catholic,
2) have no mortal sin on my soul,
3) be fasting from midnight until after I receive Holy Communion.
14. What does “fasting from midnight” mean?
“Fasting from midnight” means that at midnight I must stop eating and drinking everything but ordinary water until after I have received Holy Communion the next morning.
The sick and others who find fasting too difficult can get permission from a Priest to take medicine or liquid nourishment. Brushing the teeth or using a mouthwash is allowed, but I must not swallow anything. Using cough drops, throat lozenges or chewing gum is not allowed.
15. Do I have to go to confession every time I receive Holy Communion?
No, I do not have to go to Confession every time I receive Holy Communion, unless I have a mortal sin on my soul, but it is well to go to Confession often.
You cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils” (1st Corinthians 10:21).
16. Am I ever allowed to receive Holy Communion with a mortal sin on my soul?
No, I am never allowed to receive Holy Communion with a mortal sin on my soul.
” Whosoever shall eat this Bread, or drink the chalice un. worthily, shall be guilty of the Body and of the Blood of the Lord” (1st Corinthians 11:27).
17. What kind of a sin is it to receive Holy Communion with a
mortal sin on my soul? To receive Holy Communion knowingly and willingly with a mortal sin on my soul is a mortal sin, called a sacrilege.
“He that eateth and drinketh. unworthily, eateth and drink. eth judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of the Lord” (1st Corinthians 11:29).
18. Is it a sin to receive Holy Communion with venial sins on my soul?
No, it is not a sin to receive Holy Communion with venial sins on my soul, but to gain greater fruit I should rid my soul of the venial sins by reciting the Act of Contrition first.
“For the Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 98:9).
19. How often must I receive Holy Communion?
I am obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, during the Easter season, that is, sometime between the 6th Sunday before Easter and the 8th Sunday after Easter. This is my Easter Duty.
20. What kind of a sin is it to miss my Easter Duty?
It is a mortal sin to miss my Easter Duty.
21. How often does a good Catholic receive Holy Communion?
A good Catholic receives Holy Communion every Sunday, or every day, if possible, but only once on the same day.
“O taste and see that the Lord is sweet” (Psalm 33:9).
22. What does Holy Communion do for my soul?
Holy Communion makes the grace grow in my soul.
“Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of man, and drink His Blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood hath life everlasting” (John 6:54, 55).
23. What else does Holy Communion do for my soul?
Holy Communion also helps me to stay away from sin and lead a good life and unites me with Jesus.
“He that eateth My Flesh, and drinketh My Blood, abideth in Me, and I in him” (John 6:57).
24. What should I do after receiving Holy Communion?
After Holy Communion, it is good to spend some time praying to Jesus, Who is inside of me, adoring Him, thanking Him, loving Him and asking His help.
“What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things that He hath rendered to me?” (Psalm 115:12).
Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift” (2nd Corinthians 9:15).
25. In receiving Holy Communion under the form of bread alone, do I also receive the blood of Jesus?
Yes, in receiving Holy Communion under the form of bread alone, I also receive the Blood of Jesus, since the Body and Blood of Jesus cannot be separated. Note: For receiving Holy Communion while sick at home or in the hospital, see Lesson 34, questions 6-7-8.