Text reproduced with permission of the author https://www.staustinspriory.org/the-mass
The Mass is at the centre of Church life.
When Jesus was facing his last hours of life, he gathered his
disciples together for a last meal, and told them that soon he
would no longer be with them.
But he gave them, and the world, the continued gift of his
presence. The bread and wine were transformed into his Body and
Blood, and he gave the sacred gifts to them to eat and drink. The
words of the Mass tell us what Jesus said:
“Take this all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body,
which will be given up for you……Take this, all of you,
and
drink from it, this is the chalice of my Blood”
The Church believes that the risen Christ is actually made present during the Mass, under the forms of the bread and wine –
they may look unchanged to us, because the appearances of bread and wine remain, but their essence, their real nature has been transformed
into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Creator of the Universe is truly and really present
– and we share in his divine life when we receive Holy Communion.
If you are not a Catholic, you may not take the Eucharist – but please join the people in line
and cross your arms over your chest – this indicates to the priest that you want a blessing,
which he will be happy to give you.
Do not worry about feeling out of place.
The Church exists to spread the word
– the Good News of Jesus Christ.
We would be delighted to see you!