through the ministry
of His priests.

249. Q. When did Christ give His priests the power to change bread and
wine into His body and blood?
A. Christ gave His priests the power to change bread and wine into His
body and blood when He said to the Apostles, Do this in commemoration of
Me.

250. Q. How do the priests exercise this power of changing bread and
wine into the body and blood of Christ?
A. The priests exercise this power of changing bread and wine into the
body and blood of Christ through the words of consecration in the Mass,
which are the words of Christ: This is My body; this is My blood.

LESSON TWENTY-THIRD
ON THE ENDS FOR WHICH THE HOLY EUCHARIST WAS INSTITUTED

251. Q. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist?
A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist--

1. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His divine life.
2. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul.
3. To lessen our evil inclinations.
4. To be a pledge of everlasting life.
5. To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection.
6. To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church.

252. Q. How are we united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist?
A. We are united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist by means of Holy
Communion.

253. Q. What is Holy Communion?
A. Holy Communion is the receiving of the body and blood of Christ.

254. Q. What is necessary to make a good Communion?
A. To make a good Communion it is necessary to be in the state of
sanctifying grace, to have a right intention, and to obey the laws of
fasting. (See Q. 257.)

255. Q. Does he who receives Communion in mortal sin receive the body
and blood of Christ?
A. He who receives Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood
of Christ, but does not receive His grace, and he commits a great
sacrilege.

256. Q. Is it enough to be free from mortal sin to receive plentifully
the graces of Holy Communion?
A. To receive plentifully the graces of Holy Communion it is not enough
to be free from mortal sin, but we should be free from all affection to
venial sin, and should make acts of faith, hope, and love.

257. Q. What is the fast necessary for Holy Communion?
A. The fast necessary for Holy Communion is to abstain from all food,
beverages, and alcoholic drinks for one hour before Holy Communion.
Water may be taken at any time. The sick may take food, non-alcoholic
drinks, and any medicine up to Communion time.

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