εὐχαριστία
Eucharist
YOO-kuh-rist
The sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine — the sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Communion — called “the source and summit of the Christian life.”
thanksgiving
The word means thanksgiving, because at the Last Supper Jesus “gave thanks” before the bread and the cup. The Eucharist is at once a sacrifice (the one sacrifice of the Cross made present), a sacred meal (Holy Communion) and the abiding Real Presence of Christ. The Catechism lists its many names — the Lord's Supper, the Breaking of Bread, the Holy Sacrifice, Holy Communion, Holy Mass — each showing one facet of the inexhaustible gift. Vatican II called it the source and summit of the Christian life.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 1215Fourth Lateran Councilthe decrees
- 1545–1563Council of Trentthe decrees
- 1962–1965Second Vatican Councilthe decrees
Sources checked 29 September 2026