“Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”
Luke 22:19-20
The Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Christ is truly present in the bread and wine that has been consecrated by the Priest at Mass. Although the bread and wine still appear the same, the substance has changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. While we are not able to see Him with our eyes, we do see Him with the eyes of faith.
The roots of the Eucharist are in the Jewish Passover meal. This is the meal that commemorates Israel’s delivery from oppression and slavery in Egypt. As Jesus celebrated the Passover at His last supper with the apostles, He blessed, broke, and shared with them bread and wine, proclaiming that it was His body and blood. He promised that He would truly be with them whenever they shared the sacred meal of bread and wine in memory of Him.
The Mass as we know it today is the new Passover, with Jesus offering His body and blood for the forgiveness of sin and as a sign of the new covenant. By joining at the table of the Lord, we are nourished spiritually, and become one body in Christ.
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Contact: Parish Office • 858-653-3540 • info@stgg.org
First Eucharist for Children
Before preparing to receive Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, children must first come to know and love Him at an age-appropriate level.
Baptized children, who have completed one year of religious education, can begin preparing to receive their First Eucharist in the second grade. The process includes guided instructional sessions and home study materials.
Click here for more information regarding Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation.
First Eucharist for Older Children
The process for an older child is evaluated on an individual basis and the needs of the family.
The sacramental process for children and teens between the ages of seven and seventeen is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) adapted for children and teens. Click here for more information.
Parent and godparent requirements and responsibilities are the same as they are for baptisms. Click here for more information.
First Eucharist for Adults
If you are an adult seeking First Eucharist, you are invited to join the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) to learn about the Catholic faith. Click here for more information.
Adults seeking First Eucharist are accompanied on this journey by a sponsor. The sponsor must be a fully initiated practicing Catholic. If your selected sponsor is not a member of Saint Gregory the Great, they may be asked to provide a letter from their pastor to confirm that they are a participating member of a Catholic community.
If you do not have a sponsor, members of our team are available to assist in this role, as are willing members of our parish.
Catholic Education: Eucharist
The Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Christ is truly present in the bread and wine that has been consecrated by the Priest at Mass. Although the bread and wine still appear the same, the substance has changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. While we are not able to see Him with our eyes, we do see Him with the eyes of faith.