249. Q. When did Christ give His priests the power to change bread and
wine into His body and blood?
A. Christ gave His priests the power to change bread and wine into His
body and blood when He said to the Apostles, Do this in commemoration of
Me.

250. Q. How do the priests exercise this power of changing bread and
wine into the body and blood of Christ?
A. The priests exercise this power of changing bread and wine into the
body and blood of Christ through the words of consecration in the Mass,
which are the words of Christ: This is My body; this is My blood.



LESSON TWENTY-THIRD
ON THE ENDS FOR WHICH THE HOLY EUCHARIST WAS INSTITUTED


251. Q. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist?
A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist--

1. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His divine life.
2. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul.
3. To lessen our evil inclinations.
4. To be a pledge of everlasting life.
5. To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection.
6. To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church.

252. Q. How are we united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist?
A. We are united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist by means of Holy