I am with you always....
The Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence is the belief that Jesus Christ is literally, not symbolically, present in the Holy Eucharist—body, blood, soul and divinity. This belief is found in the very beginning of the Church. Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist because Jesus tells us this is true in the Bible:
“I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?' So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:48-56).
Furthermore, the early Church Fathers either imply or directly state that the bread and wine offered in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (The Mass) is really the body and blood of Jesus Christ. In other words, the doctrine of the Real Presence that Catholics believe today was believed by the earliest Christians 2,000 years ago!
This miracle of God’s physical presence to us at every Mass is the truest testament to Christ’s love for us and His desire for each of us to have a personal relationship with Him.
First Communion Preparation for Children in 2nd Grade
The Religious Education program prepares children in the 2nd grade to receive their first Communion during the season of Easter each year. For more information about the Elementary RE program contact our Religious Education Director.
First Communion Preparation for Children in Grades 3 - 12
The Religious Education program coordinates the "Older Student Sacrament Program" each year. For more information about the Older Student Sacrament RE program contact our Religious Education Director.
First Communion Preparation for Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) ministry prepares adults to receive their initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Check out our "Becoming Catholic" page, and for more information about the RCIA process do not hesitate to contact the RCIA Coordinator.
Reception of the Eucharist
Should Catholics receive communion on the hand or on the tongue? And how exactly are we supposed to do that reverently? Is there any other acceptable response besides “Amen?” …and what does “amen” mean?
Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration is the adoration of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. In the many Churches that have this adoration, the Eucharist is displayed in a special holder called a monstrance, and people come to pray and worship Jesus continually throughout the day and often the night. Christ’s great love for us was shown when he was crucified on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and give us eternal life. He loves us without limit, and offers Himself to us in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Can we not give Jesus a few minutes of love and adoration in return? We invite you to come join us at St. Ferdinand in Blanco to adore our Eucharistic Lord each First Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
First Friday of Each Month Following 9:00 AM Mass until 6:00 PM