Meaning of the Mystery

The Holy Eucharist is the re-presentation of Christ's one sacrifice at Calvary made present for our salvation and participation. In its offering, as baptized members of Christ's mystical body, with Christ as our head, we share not only in one true worship of the Father (Christ's self-offering to the Father), but in Christ's very divinity in the Father's gift back to us, his Son in Holy Communion.

So rich is the mystery of the Eucharist that we have a number of terms to illumine its saving grace: the Breaking of the Bread; the Lord's Supper; the Eucharistic Assembly; the Memorial of Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection; the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Holy and Divine Liturgy; the Eucharistic Liturgy; Holy Communion; and Holy Mass (cf. CCC, nos. 1328-1332).