"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and remains in Me and I in him" (John 6:51, 54, 56).

The Eucharist is not just a sign or symbol of Jesus. We believe that Jesus is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist. The priest transforms the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus through transubstantiation.

"By the consecration, the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about. Under the consecrated species of bread and wine, Christ Himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: His Body and His Blood, with His soul and His divinity" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1413).

The Mass is divided into two principal parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. At Mass, we are fed by the Word of God and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ.

The Eucharist was instituted as a food, a spiritual food. That is why the outward sign of this sacrament – the appearances of bread and wine – is a sign of nourishment, just as in Baptism the outward sign is water, a sign of cleansing.

"Holy Communion is the shortest and fastest way to Heaven" (St. Pius X).

Please go to pius.org/cff for program and registration information.

For Children of St. Pius Parish, the preparation for First Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist is a one year program. The program is open to 2nd graders and above who have been registered in our parish for at least 6 months. Our program begins in the Fall each year. St. Pius School 2nd graders receive preparation in the classroom. For more information, please contact the Parish Center at (650) 361-1411.

For adults, please call our Parish Center for information about the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) program at St. Pius Church.