Inter-Faith Series, Holy Eucharist: Why is the Holy Eucharist also called Holy Communion?

Answer 1

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 1331: Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body. 151 We also call it: the holy things (ta hagia; sancta) 152 - the first meaning of the phrase "communion of saints" in the Apostles' Creed - the bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality, 153 viaticum....

Answer 2

Maybe this will help:


In liturgical traditions, the Eucharist is properly the central act of the worship service, above hymns, chants, readings, offerings, and sermons. (You'd never know it at some parishes in liturgical traditions.) The rest of it is praise to God; the Eucharist is for taking in God's presence.

The act itself is easy to separate out; if rightly done, it can stand on its own as proper worship.

Prayer
Preface
Sanctus
the Great Thanksgiving, w. words of institution
the Lord's Prayer
(some have a time of reflection)
Agnus Dei
Communion
(sometimes chants or song are sung during communion)
Hymn of Thanks (Canticle)
closing prayer
blessing and dismissal
The service is called 'Eucharistic' because we come in thanks, we take actions together in thanks, and we leave in thanks

Answer 3

People who take Communion usually have some sense of where they are at (or not at) with God. They want to be where Jesus is. Maybe it's because they know they need Jesus, or because they just love Jesus, or because they want to follow Jesus. When they come for communion, they've come to the right place. That's where Jesus is.

The name 'Communion' comes from it being something done with others. It's done with Christ. It's done with other believers. In sharing the meal, 'I' becomes 'us'. The same stuff, physical and spiritual, food and Christ, goes into each of those who are there. Yes, with those present, but just as important, with all of those who have ever shared the meal in faith.

Everyone who shares, had shared, or will share the meal in faith.