Xxxi. Of The Sacrament Of The Holy Eucharist
XXXI. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
(A)
What is the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?
It is that mysterious repast in which, after the consecration (which makes Jesus Christ to be really present in the same state, under the sacramental form, as the victim immolated on Calvary), the body of our Lord Jesus Christ is given to be eaten, and His blood to be drunk, under the species or accidents of bread and wine (LXXIII.-LXXXIII.).
Is this sacrament necessary for salvation?
Yes; for it signifies the unity of the Church, which is the mystical body of Christ, to which everybody who would be saved must belong. But the fruit of the sacrament of the Eucharist can be enjoyed by anyone who has the intention of receiving the sacrament, whether he himself personally have this intention or whether the Church communicate it to him by the reception of baptism as is the case with infants (LXXIlI. 3).
By what names is this sacrament called?
In so far as it is a commemoration of our Lord's sacrifice on the Cross it is called a "sacrifice"; in so far as it signifies the unity of the Church, the mystical body of Christ, it is called "communion"; in so far as it foreshadows the glory of future happiness, it is called "viaticum"; and it is called the "Eucharist," which means the "good grace," because it contains Jesus Christ Himself, who is the author of all grace (LXXIII. 4).
(B)
When was this sacrament instituted?
It was instituted on the evening of Holy Thursday on the eve of our Lord's Passion: in order to console men after the departure of our Lord from this world; in order to show the relation of this sacrament with the Passion of our Lord, who is the only source of our salvation; and in order that by reason of circumstances so memorable the cult of this sacrament might be more practised among men (LXXIII. 5).
Was there any special type or figure of this sacrament in the Old Law?
Yes; in so far as it is an outward sign it was prefigured by the bread and wine offered up by Melchisedech. In so far as it is a sacrament containing the true body of our Lord immolated on the Cross, it was prefigured by all the sacrifices of the Old Testament, and especially by the sacrifice of expiation, which was the most solemn. In so far as it is a spiritual nourishment feeding our souls, it was figured by the manna which contained every flavour and every sweetness. But it was prefigured in an exceptional way by the paschal lamb which was eaten with unleavened bread after it had been sacrificed, and whose blood turned away the avenging angel (LXXIII. 6).