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Catechism of the Catholic Church

Paragraph 1396

The unity of the Mystical Body: the Eucharist makes the Church. Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body-the Church. Communion renews, strengthens, and deepens this incorporation into the Church, already achieved by Baptism. In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread:" (1118, 1267, 790, 1064) > If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your sacrament that you receive. To that which you are you respond "Amen" ("yes, it is true!") and by responding to it you assent to it. For you hear the words, "the Body of Christ" and respond "Amen." Be then a member of the Body of Christ that your Amen may be true.

Biblical citations

Related passages (suggestions)

  • §22·Unitatis Redintegratio§22

    Pelo sacramento do Baptismo, sempre que for devidamente conferido segundo a instituição do Senhor e recebido com a devida disposição de alma, o homem é verdadeiramente incorpora…

  • §2·Unitatis Redintegratio§2

    Nisto se manifestou a caridade de Deus para connosco, em que o Filho unigénito de Deus foi enviado ao mundo pelo Pai a fim de que, feito homem, desse nova vida pela Redenção a t…

  • §7·Lumen Gentium§7

    O filho de Deus, vencendo, na natureza humana a Si unida, a morte, com a Sua morte e ressurreição, remiu o homem e transformou-o em nova criatura (cfr. Gál. 6,15; 2 Cor. 5,17). …

  • 1 Corinthians 10:16·Bible1 Corinthians 10:16

    O cálice de bênção, que benzemos, não é a comunhão do sangue de Cristo? E o pão, que partimos, não é a comunhão do corpo de Cristo?