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 NINTEENTH 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 body and blood. 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. 253. Q. What is Holy Communion? A. Holy Communion is the receiving of the body and blood of Christ. 254. Q. What is necessary to make a good Communion? A. To make a good Communion it is necessary to be in the state of grace and to be fasting for one hour from food and all drinks, except water. [This answer has been changed in the 1977 edition to bring it up to date with the current rules.] 255. Q. Does he who receives Communion in mortal sin receive the body and blood of Christ? A. He who receives Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood of Christ, but does not receive His grace, and he commits a great sacrilege. LESSON TWENTIETH ON THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS 262. Q. When are the bread and wine changed into the body and blood of Christ? A. The bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ at the consecration in the Mass. 263. Q. What is the Mass? A. The Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ. 265. Q. Is the Mass the same sacrifice as that of the cross? A. The Mass is the same sacrifice as that of the cross. 269. Q. How should we assist at Mass? A. We should assist at Mass with great interior recollection and piety, and with every outward mark of respect and devotion. LESSON TWENTY-FIRST ON EXTREME UNCTION AND HOLY ORDERS 271. Q. What is the Sacrament of Extreme Unction? A. Extreme Unction is the Sacrament which, through the anointing and prayer of the priest, gives health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body, when we are in danger of death from sickness. 274. Q. Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction? A. The effects of Extreme Unction are: 1st, to comfort us in the pains of sickness and to strengthen us against temptation; 2d, to remit venial sins and to cleanse our soul from the remains of sin; 3d, to restore us to health, when God sees fit. 278. Q. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders? A. Holy Orders is a Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and other ministers of the Church are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties. LESSON TWENTY-SECOND ON MATRIMONY