eucarística

Eucarística is an adjective used in Spanish (and Portuguese) to refer to the Eucharist, the central sacrament in many Christian traditions. It is applied to rites, doctrines, objects, and devotional practices connected with the Eucharist. The term derives from the Greek eucharistía, meaning thanksgiving, from eucharistein, to give thanks.

The Eucharist commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples and is celebrated in various forms across Christian communities. In Catholic theology, the Eucharist is the real presence of Christ under the appearances of bread and wine, accomplished through the consecration during the liturgy; the bread and wine are believed to become the Body and Blood of Christ while retaining their outward appearances. Other traditions, including many Protestant churches, understand the Eucharist in different ways, ranging from symbolic remembrance to a spiritual presence. The Orthodox churches affirm the real presence as well, though the explanation and language differ from Western definitions.

The celebration is often called the Eucharistic celebration or Mass in Catholic usage and includes prayers of thanksgiving, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the distribution of Holy Communion. Devotions related to the Eucharist, such as Eucharistic adoration, involve reverent prayer before the consecrated elements, typically displayed in the monstrance.

Eucarística can also describe objects (eucarísticos), practices (devotions eucarísticas), and aspects of liturgy or theology pertaining to the Eucharist. In ordinary usage, eucarística and eucharistía are closely linked in religious contexts across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities.