This project is an interpretive psychoanalytical phenomenological study of the Eucharist. The purpose was to understand the experiences of healing in the Eucharist using psychoanalytic theory. Seven individuals were interviewed three times each. The first interview focused on personal narratives and early faith experiences. The second interview focused on healing experiences. The final interview was a member-checking (verification) interview using a case study based on findings developed using data from the first and second interviews. Interviews were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), (Smith, Flowers, and Larkin, 2009). IPA yielded seven findings, described in four psychoanalytical categories:

(a) remembering, repeating and working through;

(b) recognizing external and internal changes;

(c) communion as belongingness; and

(d) communion as a catalyst.

The most striking of the findings was the number of participants who were treated badly by churches because of other childhood difficulties; yet, church is where they turned for healing. Results of this study may guide social workers in understanding experiences of religious clients and helping them heal. Findings may also help religious leaders improve the quality of interactions with children who are experiencing difficulties.