Holy Eucharist

In Holy Communion, Catholics come face-to-face with Christ. It is crucial to prepare your heart for the magnitude of this special sacrament. The Rite of Holy Communion celebrates the second step toward full initiation into the Church. First Holy Communion is most often celebrated around the age of seven or eight, when the children are of the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. For First Holy Communion, children must take part in the sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Body of Christ. The Eucharist is a gift that takes a whole lifetime to understand. It is a gift that requires a response from us, which is why we must take care that our children are well prepared to receive Him and understand the honor it is to come to the altar.

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At a child’s Baptism, the parents are told that they “would be the first and best teachers of your children in the way of faith”. Parental involvement in the preparation of a child for First Holy Communion is paramount. The parish ‘helps’ but does not replace the parents' role in the process of leading their children in the development of their faith. A key method of doing this is through the development and example of their own spiritual life. The best preparation for the Eucharist is taking the child to Mass regularly and helping them understand what it is that they're taking part in.