Dear Parishioners and friends,

In the coming couple of Pastor’s Corner on our Parish bulletin I would like us to contemplate on the mystery of the Eucharist. This we do with the hope that we arrive at a proper understanding of the eucharist we celebrate Sunday after Sunday and day after day. The Sacrifice of the Mass, as “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Therefore, to have a correct and in depth understanding of what we celebrate will certainly enable us to do it with much more love and dedication.

The reflections below are those written by Fr. Gabriel Chadarevian OP, Assisting Pastor at St. Mary’s Parish.


The Eucharist: A Mystical Journey into the Divine Richness and Beauty


I would like to share with you the profound beauty and awesome richness of the Eucharist. 

This central sacrament of Christian life embodies a deep sense of mystery and holds immense mystical significance. 

It is a treasure trove of spiritual nourishment, historical development, and theological depth that bridges the divine and the human in a profound and transformative manner.


  • The Sense of Mystery and Mystical Significance

The Eucharist is shrouded in mystery. It is a divine encounter where bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. 

This transformation, known as transubstantiation, transcends human understanding and invites us into a deeper communion with the divine. 

The Eucharist is not merely a symbol but a real presence of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, offering us His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. This sacrament allows us to partake in the very life of Christ, uniting us with His sacrifice on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection.


  • Historical Development and Different Names

The Eucharist has a rich historical development and has been known by various names in different traditions. 

In the East, it is often called the Divine Liturgy, emphasizing its heavenly nature. 

In the West, it is commonly known as the Mass, derived from the Latin Ite Missa est, which means "dismissal" or "sending forth." 

Other names include the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, and the Breaking of Bread. 

Each name reflects a different aspect of this multifaceted sacrament, highlighting its communal, sacrificial, and celebratory dimensions.

  • The Doctrine of Transubstantiation

Central to the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist is the doctrine of transubstantiation. This teaching asserts that during the consecration at Mass, the substance of the bread and wine is transformed into the actual Body and Blood of the crucified and risen Christ, even though the appearances of bread and wine remain. 

This miraculous change underscores the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and invites us into a profound mystery of faith. 

The Eucharist becomes a true encounter with the risen Lord, offering us spiritual nourishment and sanctification.


  • Holy Communion: A Foretaste of Heaven

Receiving Holy Communion is an intimate participation in the Body and Blood of Christ. 

It is an anticipation of the heavenly banquet and a foretaste of the beatific vision. 

In the Mass, we are mystically present at the Last Supper with Jesus and the apostles, at the foot of the Cross on Calvary with Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene, and witnessing the Resurrection and Ascension. We are also united with Mary, the apostles, and disciples at Pentecost, experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.


  • The Mass: Heaven on Earth

The Mass is often described as "Heaven on earth." 

It is a sacred liturgy where the boundaries between time and eternity blur. 

In the Liturgy of the Word, Jesus speaks to us through the Scriptures, illuminating our minds and hearts. 

In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we participate in the Paschal Mystery, the one sacrifice of Christ at Calvary made sacramentally present on the altar. 

This cosmic dimension of the Eucharist encompasses the past, present, and future, drawing us into the eternal now of God's love.


…..to be continued.