THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
§ 1. THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
Types of the Blessed Sacrament: the Tree of Life 18; the paschal lamb 144 635; the Manna 15 1; the pillar of cloud on the Tabernacle 166 257; the miraculous food of Elias 284; the changing of water into wine 440; the miracle of the loaves 528.
Promise of the Holy Eucharist 533.
Its Institution 632.
The love of Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament 636.
Reverence for the Most Holy 306 (Tobias, father and son, “being seized with fear fell upon the ground on their face” before the angel Raphael); 416 (the three kings before Jesus).
Corpus Christi 635.
§ 2. THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS.
Sacrifice , as a supreme act of divine worship, is as old as man and has been of universal practice. Sacrifice of Cain and Abel 28; of Noe 43; Abraham 52 67; Melchisedech 56; Jacob 87 115; the friends of Job 125; the sacrifices instituted by God under the Old Law 169; their typical signification 170 701.
Types of the unbloody Sacrifice: the offering of Melchisedech 56; the unbloody sacrifices of the Old Law 170.
Promises of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: through David 236 (“Thou art a Priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech”); through Malachias 360; through our Lord at the well of Jacob 453. Institution of the Mass at the Last Supper 632.
§ 3. HOLY COMMUNION.
The whole of Jesus Christ is present under the form of bread 533 720. Effects of Holy Communion 534; prefigured by the paschal lamb 144; the Manna 15 1; by the miraculous food of Elias 284; by the virtue that went out of our Lord 461 529.
Unworthy Communion: Tree of life 28; the ark of the covenant in the days of Samuel 215 ; the king’s wedding feast 61 1; Judas 638 639. Necessity for preparation: preparation of the Israelites for receiving the Commandments 153; the wedding garment 61 1; the washing of the feet 630; the Entombment of Jesus 709; the preparation of the apostles before receiving the Holy Ghost 734; the preparation of Saul for receiving Baptism 766.
Holy Communion should be received with
1. living faith: Simeon 410; Nathaniel 437; Peter 538.
2. humility : Elizabeth 393; Peter 464; the centurion 487; the prodigal son 567; the publican in the Temple 585.
