The Eucharist Is Sacrifice, A Sacrament, And Communion
What Jesus said about himself:
“I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” John 6:41-51
From the Second Vatican Council:
However, no Christian community is built up which does not grow from and hinge on the celebration of the most holy Eucharist. From this all education for community spirit must begin. This Eucharistic celebration, to be full and sincere, ought to lead on the one hand to the various works of Charity and mutual help, and on the other hand to missionary activity and the various forms of Christian witness. Presbyterorum Ordinis, the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests (article 6).
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
So rich is the mystery of the Eucharist that we have a number of terms to illumine its saving grace: the Breaking of the Bread; the Lord’s Supper; the Eucharistic Assembly; the Memorial of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection; the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Holy and Divine Liturgy; the Eucharistic Liturgy; Holy Communion; and Holy Mass (cf. CCC, nos. 1328-1332).
Notable Sayings on the Eucharist:
“The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
“Christ gives his Body and Blood for the life of humanity. And all those who nourish themselves worthily at his table become living instruments of his love, mercy, and peace.” – Blessed John Paul II
“When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” – Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Reception of the Eucharist:
Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible (Code of Canon law: 916).