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Holy Eucharist

Catechetical Handbook

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood,
you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life, and I
will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.”

Jn 6:53-55

Copyright © 2010 Marlon De La Torre, MA, MEd.


Marlon De La Torre

THE TASK OF Catechesis IS ROOTED IN THE PRIMARY VOCATION OF THE


Family

Parents, the first catechists have a responsibility to


serve as instruments of grace for their children by
exposing them to the truth, beauty, and goodness of the
Sacraments in the Church.

Our task as catechists is to help all children live a life in


communion with Jesus Christ.

“. . . since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their
offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children.”

- (Declaration on Christian Education, 3)

What is the Right of parents to educate our children?

Rights and Duties of Parents:

1. To give education to Children (Primary)

 Connected with the transmission of human life


 Original and primary with respect to educational roles of
others.
 The role of parent is irreplaceable and inalienable

2. The most basic element is (parental love)

 Parental love finds fulfillment in the task of education


 It completes and perfects its service to life.
 It is the animating principle and norm for inspiring
all concrete educational activity.

Education is then before all else a reciprocal “offering”


on the part of both parents: together they communicate
their own mature humanity to the newborn child, who
give them in turn the newness and freshness of the
humanity which it has brought into the world.

(Families, 16)

Parents are the first and foremost educators of their own


children, and they possess a fundamental competence in
this area: they are educators because they are parents.

(Families, 16)
The Content of Christian Education. (FC, 39)
Marlon De La Torre

The Parent must foster Christian Maturity to


their children.

As Baptized persons they (children) are gradually


introduced into the knowledge of the mystery of
salvation;

“The Goal”

Revelation and the Response of Faith!

Key Points for Parents

 Grow more conscious of the gift of faith which


they have received.
 Learn to adore God the Father in spirit and in
truth (Jn 4:23)
 Trained to conduct their personal life in true
righteousness.
 Fullness in Christ (Eph 4:13)
 Build up the mystical body of Christ.
 Have hope. (1 Pt 3:15)

Continuing Call to Conversion

By virtue of the ministry of educating, parents are, through the witness of their lives, the
first heralds of the Gospel for their children.
- (FC, 39)

It is the primary duty of the parents and of those who take their place as it is the duty of the parish
priest, to ensure that children who have reached the use of reason are properly prepared and, having
made their sacramental confession, are nourished by this divine food as soon as possible.

- Code of Canon Law, 914

Understanding the Importance of the Holy Eucharist


Marlon De La Torre

Consider the following Statement with respect to the


Holy Eucharist?

“In order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout


the ages” Christ provided the Eucharist in which he “is
consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and the pledge of
future glory is given to us.”
(CCC 1323)

Keeping the above statement in mind, where can I find


reference to the Holy Eucharist in Scripture?

Genesis 14:17-20
The high priest Melchizedek, King of Salem, who celebrates
Abram’s (Abraham) victory individuals who had captured his
kinsmen. The celebration includes unleavened bread, bitter
herbs, and wine. The bread and wine signify the first fruits
of the land offered in sacrifice to God.

Exodus 12:1-20 (The Passover Meal)


Our Lord proscribes to Moses the Passover meal that consists of unleavened bread,
bitter herbs, and wine. This ritual meal is done at the night where the final plague
overshadows all of Egypt except for the Israelites who are to sacrifice a lamb that is
unblemished (no broken bones) i.e. Christ was Crucified without having any bones
broken as the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.

John 6:54-55
“Whoever eats me flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on
the last day. For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.”

Mark 14:22
“While they were eating he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to
them, and said, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave
it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, ‘this is my blood of the covenant
which will be shed for many.”

1 Cor 11:27, 29
“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to
answer for the body and blood of the Lord. For anyone who eats the bread and drinks
without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.”

The Conclusion of the Church’s teaching through Sacred Tradition and Sacred
Scripture leads us to the climax of the understanding of the Holy Eucharist to . . .

“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”
Marlon De La Torre

- Jn 1:29

Keeping the Above Statement in Mind reflect on the following teachings.

 When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s


Passover, and it is made present: the sacrifice Christ offered for all on the cross
remains ever present.” See: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1364

 “. . . there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the
substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine
into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has
fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.” See: Catechism of the
Catholic Church, 1376

 The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other
sacraments are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it.” See:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324

 The Eucharist is the culmination both of God ‘s action sanctifying the world in
Christ and of the worship of men offer to Christ and through him to the Father
in the Holy Spirit.” See: Catechism of the Catholic Church 1325

Guidelines for Proper Participation & Reception of the Holy Eucharist


Marlon De La Torre

Taken from the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Canon, 912

 Any baptized person who is not forbidden by law may and must be admitted to
holy communion.
 For Holy Communion to be administered to children, it is required that they
have
sufficient knowledge
be accurately prepared
Know and understand the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and
the mystery of Christ in the Holy Eucharist according to their
capacity.
Are able to receive the Body of our Lord with faith and devotion.

Two Conditions are required for the Communion of Children

One: Sufficient use of Reason (Age of Reason, typically age seven and above);
(Canon, 913)

This condition specifically draws on the adequate understanding of the Child of what he
or she is preparing to receive i.e. the Body of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

Two: Adequate Preparation (Canon, 913)

This condition refers to the moral conscience of the Child. The criteria for determining
the moral conscience is as follows:

Understanding of God as our Lord and Father


God’s love toward us
God’s love towards Jesus the Son of God who became man
for us died and rose again.
Through an understanding of this love from God and
understanding and perception of sin should follow.
Know that sin is an offense against God the Father and to
Jesus.
Sin opposes charity.

Proper Reception (Canon, 916, 919-921; CCC 1387)

1. Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not receive the Body of Christ without
having first going to confession

2. Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour
before holy communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water
and medicine. (See: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1387)

3. Preparation before reception – act of reverence (usually the sign of the Cross,
genuflection, bow or full reverent bow.

4. Proper Mode of Reception – Reception via the tongue or the making of a throne
with your hands and saying: “Amen” which means “I believe” or “so be it”.

5. Once the child makes their First Holy Communion all the faithful are required to
receive the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter Season.
Marlon De La Torre

Sanctifying Effects of the Eucharist (John 6:56-57)

1. Transforms us in Christ
2. Forgives venial sin; helps us avoid future sin (See: Catechism of the Catholic
Church 1394-1395; John 1:29; 1 Jn 2:1-2; 3:3); refer to Memorial
Acclamation D
3. Increases life of grace in us, strengthening love of God and others (See:
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1392, 1397, John 15:5; 1 Cor 11:20-22)
4. In the Eucharist, God shares himself with us in the most intimate way, as
abiding union, a pledge of love and future glory in Trinitarian life in Heaven.
(See: Catechism of the Catholic Church 1323, 1326, 1391, John 6:56;
14:18-20; 15:4)
5. The Eucharist is to be Worshipped (See: Catechism of the Catholic Church
1378, 1380, John 20:28-29)

The Early Church Fathers on the Eucharist

St. Justin Martyr

“And this food is called among us the Eucharist . . . For not as common bread and
common drink do we receive these, but . . . we have been taught that this food . . . is
the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh”
(First Apology, 65-a67)

St. Augustine

“The bread which you see on the altar, once it is sanctified by the word of God, is the
body of Christ. And that chalice, or rather what the chalice contains, once it is
sanctified by the word of God, is the blood of Christ.”
(Sermon 227)

St. Thomas Aquinas

The Eucharist has a three-fold significance:

One: In relation to the past, it is the memorial of the Passion and death of Christ and is
called the ‘Sacrifice,’ Two: in relation to the present, it is the source of unity among the
faithful and is called “Communion”; and Three: in relation to the future, it signifies the
pathway to heaven and is called ‘Viaticum’
(Summa Theologiae, I-II, 73, 4).

Structure of the Lesson Plan (The Ecclesial Method)


Marlon De La Torre

One of the recommended methods to offer an authentic religious education lesson plan is by formatting the
information into what we call the Ecclesial Method of Instruction. This is a five-fold process that will
adequately provide a sound overview of instructing the faith to all. The format of the lesson plan is as
follows.

Recommended Lesson Plan Outline for instruction based on the Ecclesial Method

I. Preparation

In the preparation you have what is called a calculated disengagement. This means what are the best
means to convey the Gospel message. It is important to note that everything instructed must be centered
on Jesus Christ regardless of the doctrine. This crucial emphasis is known as Christocentric catechesis
because it is Christ the Son of God who gave flesh to the Word of God. Things to use in this first step would
include the following (music, art, prayers, stories, video etc.) The goal is to engage the child into the
transcendence of God.

II. Proclamation

Emphasis is placed on the Gospel proclamation. In other words what is the main point you want your child to
receive from the specific lesson being taught. Typically the proclamation is only two sentences in length.

III. Explanation

The explanation is where you carefully explain the teaching(s) of the Church through use of the bible,
catechism, video, art, notes, workbook, handouts, lesson plan. Utilize all three modes of learning; (audio,
visual, and kinesthetic). Answer their questions carefully.

IV. Application

The application aims at providing learning aids that will aid their understanding of Church teaching.
Recitation and memorization of prayer, bible, passages, video clips, answering further questions.

V. Celebration

The celebration calls in wrapping up the lesson. The centrality of this last point is embedded in the Holy
Eucharist. Participation in the Mass is crucial for the child to see the value of everything taught.

Key Points
1. Sacred Scripture must be your driving force for instruction.
2. Everything must be christocentric
3. Teach for the sake of conversion i.e. diving deeper into the grace of Christ.
4. Use the Catechism of the Catholic Church as your foundational resource for the
teachings of the Church.

Outline of Ecclesial Lesson Plan


Marlon De La Torre

I. Objective (The Student will . . .)

II. Materials used (textbook, media, art. Literature, handouts etc.)

III. Procedure

A. Preparation (Prayer/calculated disengagement)

B. Proclamation (Scripture, Catechism, other)

C. Explanation: content and method of delivery (lecture, lesson discussion, Q&A, drawings etc.)

D. Application: how does the teaching apply to daily life?

E. Celebration: living out the teaching.

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