St. Ignatius was the first of many to refer to the entire community of Christians as the Catholic Church.

St. Ignatius, born in 50 A.D., knew the Apostle St. John personally. He was the third bishop of Antioch and a martyr who was thrown to wild animals in Rome. He wrote: “Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one whom he appoints. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." St. (Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans 8:1-2    107 A.D.)

St. Ignatius also wrote: “I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world I want only God's bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed from the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.”

St. Ignatius of Antioch (Catholic Encyclopedia)