§ 3. On Holy Communion.
41. What is Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is truly the receiving of the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for the nourishment of our souls.
Communion means, Union of the faithful with Christ and with one another; or, Common participation of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Communion is also called the Lord's Supper, the Receiving of the Blessed Sacrament, of the Holy Eucharist, etc.
42. Was it God, or is it the Church only, that has commanded us to receive Holy Communion?
God has commanded it, and the Church also; for Christ our Lord says expressly: ' Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of man, and drink His Blood, you shall not have life in you ' (John vi. 54).
43. Must we also drink the Chalice, in order to receive the Blood of Christ?
No; for under the appearance of bread we receive also His Blood, since we receive Him whole and entire. His Humanity and His Divinity.
Therefore, Christ promises eternal life to those also who receive Him under the appearance of bread alone: ' If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world' (John vi. 52). This is the bread that came down from Heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever' (John vi. 59).
44. But why, then, did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist in both kinds?
Because He instituted it, not only as a Sacrament, but also as a Sacrifice, for which both kinds are required.
Accordingly, the words of Christ, 'Drink ye all of this' (Matt. xxvi. 27), are by no means a command to all the people, but only to the Apostles, and their Successors the Bishops and Priests, when they celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Therefore, Priests also, when they do not actually celebrate Mass, communicate under one kind only.
