WHAT IS THE HOLY COMMUNION?
The Holy Communion, known also as the Lord’s Supper, represents the greatest expression of God’s love for His people.

In Luke 22:20, Jesus tells us that the cup is the “new covenant in My blood”, and the apostle Paul tells us that the blood of Jesus brings forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7).

The purpose of the Eucharist

We know that each of the Catholic sacraments produces its own special effect or effects. If the purpose of all sacraments were simply to give a single kind of grace, one sacrament would be enough; there would have been no need for our Lord Jesus to have instituted seven.

The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was instituted as a food, a spiritual food.

That is why the outward sign of this sacrament—the appearances of bread and wine—is a sign of nourishment, just as in Baptism the outward sign is water, a sign of cleansing.

The action by which we as individuals receive the Holy Eucharist is an act of eating. We swallow the appearances of bread and wine under which Jesus is present. This is the action which we call Holy Communion.

As the Catechism’s section on Holy Communion and the Eucharist says:
The Lord addresses an invitation to us, urging us to receive him in the sacrament of the Eucharist: “Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” [Jn 6:53] (_Catechism_, 1384)
 
As Catholics, we know that the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith: it is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pope Francis has called it the “Sacrament of Love”:
 
“The Eucharist is at the heart of ‘Christian initiation’, together with Baptism and Confirmation, and it constitutes the source of the Church’s life itself. From this Sacrament of love, in fact, flows every authentic journey of faith, of communion, and of witness.”
 
For children who are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion, this is a big deal. And for all of us, no matter how many times we have received Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, it should always be a big deal.

What makes it so special the first time is the same thing that makes it special every time!
Jesus comes to us in a unique way in the Eucharist. When He comes, we receive Him into our body and our soul. This is very beautiful, personal, and intimate. We should not take it for granted!
 
This is why the first time a family member makes their Holy Communion, it is and exciting event for the whole family. The boy or girl preparing for this sacrament is going to be profoundly united with Jesus in a way that they never have before!
 
It is such a holy, joyful occasion. Our souls become the bride of Christ. That is why girls wear white dresses and boys wear suits. Relatives are invited. Parents take pictures.  We celebrate. And the very act of celebrating reveals our belief in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
 
Father Roger Landry of the Diocese of Fall River in New England says, “…what makes one’s first Communion a truly blessed event is not the adjective but the substantive: not the ‘first’ but the ‘communion.’ Because of whom we receive, the second, third, next, and last Communion should always be as special.“
 
Unfortunately, for many of us Catholics, First Holy Communion has become simply a right of passage. The essence of the celebration is lost among the parties and gifts. “Parties and gifts are fine,” says one priest,  “as long as the focus never strays from what the celebration is truly about.”
 
First Holy Communion is, without question, a time of great joy. The saints in heaven, who are delighted to intercede for us, are celebrating along with your family.

“You come to me,” says Saint Maximilian Kolbe to Jesus, speaking for all of us, “and unite Yourself intimately to me under the form of nourishment. . . . What miracles! Who would have ever imagined such!”
 
St. Mother Teresa also has words for you and your family: “Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist…”
 
Yes, the celebration of a child’s First Holy Communion IS a big deal.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
 
FIRST COMMIUNION
Requires two years of preparation through participation in Faith Formation in elementary school grades.  Children receive 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion in their 2nd year of preparation.