The Eucharist and the Mass

The Mass has two main parts; the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. During the liturgy of the Word (formerly called, "The Mass of the Catechumens") the scriptures are proclaimed and then broken open. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist the bread is blessed and broken and the Christ is made present in the wine and bread which become his body. This is an encounter with the Risen Lord. The Church's understanding of the Eucharist is explained in four main New Testament writings; Paul's Letter (1 Cor 11), The Last Supper (Mk 14), The Road to Emmaus (Lk 24) and the Bread of Life Discourse (Jn 6). The Eucharist is a celebration by the christian community of the real presence of the risen Lord in their gathering and communal meal. It is a sacrament or sign of the presence of the risen Lord to the community of believers.