The Mass

"May the Virgin Mary help us to contemplate Jesus everyday...until our whole life becomes a praise of God in the service of brethren.”
Pope Francis

The Mass: When Heaven Touches Earth
The life and teaching of Jesus comes to a sort of climax at the meal that we call the Last Supper. The Eucharist is what we do in the in-between times, between the death of the Lord and his coming in glory. It is the meal that even now anticipates the perfect meal of fellowship with God.
The Mass is the primary place of intimate encounter with the Risen Jesus here at St. Anthony's. Why does the Church ask those who make up the Body of Christ to gather at least once a week to receive his living Presence in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? Because “without me, you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). This is the humble recognition of those who seek to love the Father by “keeping Holy the Sabbath” every Sunday.
 

The Holy Eucharist

Central among the Sacraments is the Holy Eucharist, which is the source from which all the Church’s power flows and the summit toward which all our activity is directed. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the highest form of worship that the Church can offer, and all who are made sons and daughters of God by faith and baptism are called to full, active, and conscious participation in it. Through the Eucharist, the covenant between the Lord and man is renewed, drawing the faithful into the compelling love of Christ and setting them on fire.  Through the Holy Mass, “the faithful may express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church.” (Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy )

The Eucharistic Fast

The regulation for fasting is considered a means of spiritual preparation for receiving the Eucharist and a symbol of reverence for the Sacrament. The Eucharistic Fast is limited to one hour before actually receiving the Eucharist. It pertains to all solid food and all drinks, except water. Taking medicine does not break the fast. The fast applies to priests who celebrate the Mass and by the faithful, regardless of what time of day the Mass is celebrated and Communion is received. Those who are sick, in hospitals – even if not confined to bed – and those caring for the sick, may receive communion even if they have taken food during the previous hour.

Reception of the Eucharist

In and through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Christians are fully joined to Christ. Therefore, individuals preparing to receive Holy Communion should be mindful to hold the Blessed Eucharist in highest honor and to reverence the Sacrament with the greatest adoration. Genuflections, respectful silence and other signs of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament are appropriate recognitions of God’s mysterious gift of Christ for us in this Sacrament.

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