“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’” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 47).

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist, also referred to as Holy Communion, is the Source and Summit of our Catholic Faith. Mass, the Sacred Liturgy, is offered every day at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. For the Mass schedule, click here.

Though all are welcome to join us in prayer at the Sacred Liturgy, because Catholics believe that Holy Communion is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in remembrance of his sacrifice on the cross, Christians not in union with the Catholic Church are not admitted to receive the Eucharist. Members of the Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are welcomed by the Catholic Church to receive Holy Communion, but are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. Before receiving Holy Communion, one must be Baptized and be a member of the Church in good standing. Before receiving, adults and children should go through a formation process that includes instruction and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Preparation for Children

For children who have reached the age of reason (typically seven years), parents should click here for information on sacramental preparation in our Children’s Faith Formation program.

Preparation for Adults

Youth and adults should click here for information on sacramental preparation information in our O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation) process.

For more information on the Eucharist in the Catholic Church Click Here.