“From the Greek word eukaristos, meaning “thanksgiving”, the Eucharist is a sacramental celebration of the Paschal Mystery—that is, Christ’s dying and rising for humankind—in a context of praise and thanks for all that God has done and continues to do for us. During the Eucharist the Holy Spirit is called down on the assembly that it might become the Body of Christ, the People of God.”

[The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism]