Joshua Bennett
Do this in memory of me is a phrase that is attributed to Jesus during the Last Supper. It is a central concept in the Catholic faith, referring to the Holy Eucharist, or Holy Mass, as a memorial of the sacrifice of Christ. The Eucharist is considered the source and summit of the Christian life and completes Christian initiation. The phrase do this in memory of me is understood by Catholics as a call to action, rather than a passive remembrance. It is a ritualized liturgical celebration that has been developed over centuries, bringing the sacred events of the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord into the present.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What Jesus said at the Last Supper | "This is my body and my blood: Do this in remembrance of me." |
| What Jesus did at the Last Supper | Took bread and wine, declared them to be his Body and Blood, shared them with his disciples |
| What Jesus meant by "Do this in memory of me" | To participate in an event as an ever-present reality, not just to remember it |
| What Catholics do in response | Celebrate the Holy Mass, receive the Eucharist, and participate in other rituals |
| What the Eucharist is | The body and blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ |
| What the Eucharist represents | The Lord's sacrifice on the cross, his love, and his presence |
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What You'll Learn
The Last Supper
At the Last Supper, Jesus instructed his disciples to "do this in memory of me," as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (22:19) and the First Letter to the Corinthians (11:24). This commandment has been interpreted in different ways by various Christian denominations. Some Christians believe that honouring Jesus' memory involves simply recalling his words and actions, while Catholics, drawing on Jewish traditions, understand "memory" as active participation in the event being remembered. In other words, the Mass is not just a reminder of the Last Supper, but a sacramental re-presentation of it, where the sacrifice of Christ becomes present to the faithful.
Finally, the Last Supper foreshadows Christ's death and resurrection, as he offers his Body and Blood as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. The Eucharistic prayer during Mass calls to mind the Paschal Mystery, which encompasses Christ's passion, death, resurrection, and ascension. Through the celebration of the Mass, Catholics are united with Christ in his sacrificial offering and are invited to conform their lives to his paschal mystery.
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The Holy Eucharist
Catholics believe that the Holy Eucharist is more than just a symbolic memorial. It is a way to proclaim the mighty works of God and to make the sacrifice of Jesus Christ present and real during the Mass. This belief is known as transubstantiation, where the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ during the Eucharistic prayer.
The Eucharist is considered the source and summit of Christian life and completes Christian initiation. Through the Eucharist, Catholics participate in the Lord's sacrifice and receive Christ's Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity. This act of faith unites Catholics with Christ and the Church through the Holy Spirit.
The Last Supper, the Cross, and the Mass are seen as the one perfect and loving sacrifice of Jesus. By participating in the Eucharist, Catholics remember not only the crucifixion but also Jesus' love for them. This sacrament is a memorial of his love, a sign of unity, and a bond of charity.
The understanding of "memory" or "remembrance" in the Catholic tradition is influenced by Jewish customs. For Jews, memory means actively participating in an event as if one was present, making it an ever-present reality. This notion is reflected in the Haggadah, which instructs Jews to regard themselves as having personally participated in the Exodus from Egypt during the Passover Seder meal. Similarly, Catholics believe that the Eucharist is not just a recollection of the past but a participation in the sacrifice of Christ, making it ever-present.
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Transubstantiation
The doctrine of transubstantiation holds that while the physical characteristics of the bread and wine remain unchanged, their substance is transformed into the true body and blood of Christ. This belief is based on the words of Jesus during the Last Supper, as recorded in the Gospels: "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24), and "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:25).
The Catholic Church teaches that through transubstantiation, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is made present during the Mass. This is known as the "anamnesis" or "memorial" aspect of the Eucharist, where the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ are not merely remembered but made present in a real and mysterious way. This understanding of "memorial" is different from simply recalling past events; instead, it involves proclaiming the mighty works of God and making them present to the believer.
Through the sacrament of the Eucharist and the doctrine of transubstantiation, Catholics are able to participate in the sacrifice of Christ and receive his body and blood, soul, and divinity. This act of spiritual communion is a central part of Catholic worship and a means of grace and salvation.
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The Real Presence of Christ
The Last Supper, as described in the Gospels of Luke and 1 Corinthians, is a pivotal event in the Christian faith. It was the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. During the supper, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and offered it to his disciples, saying, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Similarly, he took a cup of wine and offered it to them, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
The phrase "Do this in memory of me" has significant theological implications for Catholics. It is not just a passive act of recalling an event or person but a call to actively participate in the sacrificial memorial of Jesus' death and resurrection. The Mass, as a memorial, brings Catholics into the very heart of that sacred day, making the Paschal Mystery—the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ—present and real. This understanding of "memorial" is similar to the Jewish concept of "memory," where historical events of God's actions are not stuck in the past but are constantly present and lived in the present moment.
Through the Eucharist, Catholics are united with Christ and participate in his sacrifice. This belief is beautifully summed up by Mother Teresa: "If Jesus had not established the Eucharist, we would have forgotten the crucifixion. [...] When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then; when you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now." Thus, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is a testament to God's enduring love and a means for Catholics to encounter the living Christ in their midst.
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The Mass as a memorial
The Mass, or the Holy Eucharist, is therefore a ritualized liturgical celebration that has been developed over the centuries to commemorate the sacrifice of Christ. It is not a simple remembrance of a past event, but a proclamation of the mighty works of God and a means of making that event present and real. This understanding of memorial is reflected in the Biblical story of the Passover, where God commands the Israelites to celebrate the Passover as if they were present in Egypt, making the event ever-present.
During the Mass, after the elevation of the chalice, the priest genuflects in adoration and then rises to say, "The mystery of faith," inviting one of three responses, all of which proclaim the Death and Resurrection of Christ. This is followed by the Anamnesis, or Memorial Acclamation, where the Church calls to mind the Lord's passion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
Through the Mass, Catholics are invited to participate in the sacrificial memorial of Christ's love, uniting themselves with his offering and making present the reality of his sacrifice.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase originates from the Last Supper, where Jesus took bread and wine, declared them to be his Body and Blood, and shared them with his disciples, instructing them to "do this in memory of me".
The phrase "Do this in memory of me" is a call to action for Catholics, who believe that honouring Jesus' memory involves more than just recalling his words and actions. It is about actively participating in the event as if one was present, making it an ever-present reality.
The Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, is a Catholic sacrament that was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper. Through the Eucharist, Catholics believe they are participating in the sacrifice of Christ and receiving his Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity. The Eucharist is thus a memorial of Christ's sacrifice and a way to proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes again.
