After Baptism and Confirmation, the Eucharist is the third Sacrament of Initiation … The Eucharist is the mysterious centre of all the sacraments, because the historic sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is made present during the words of consecration in a hidden, unbloody manner. Thus the celebration of the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 11). […] When we eat the broken Bread we unite ourselves with the love of Jesus, who gave his body for us on the wood of the cross; when we drink from the chalice, we unite ourselves with him who even poured out his Blood out of love for us.
Youth Catechism (YouCat) #208