EUCHARIST
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.

At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us
 
Eucharist FAQs
What is the Eucharist? 
Catholics believe the Eucharist truly is the body and blood of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine.  We refer to this as the “Real Presence” of Christ. 
 
Can a non-Catholic receive the Eucharist? 
Sharing the Eucharist with those of other faiths is not permitted except under very special circumstances because most other faith traditions do not believe what Catholics believe about the Eucharist. 
 
Do I or my child have to receive from the cup?
Catholics believe that the wine presented at Mass is changed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the Blood of Christ.   Receiving the Precious Blood helps us recall the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  Receiving from the cup makes our reception of the Eucharist more complete. 
 
Won’t I get sick if I receive from the cup that others have used?
Over centuries, there has been no documented evidence that sharing a common communion cup spreads disease.   It is considered perfectly safe.  After each person sips from the cup, the rim of the cup is wiped off and the cup is turned so the next person is drinking from a clean place.