The Sacrament of the Eucharist is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is the gift of Christ Himself that we may share His Body and always remember the sacrifice of the Cross.
“At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Saviour instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1323
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 Saviour 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.”
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 an 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!
Receiving the First Holy Communion is indeed a time of great joy! It is Jesus, who makes Himself food for us, who comes into our hearts and it would indeed be a very special occasion for all Children to receive the Eucharist the very first time. Our programme is not only aimed at the children, but through the Parents’ session to also give parents the necessary means to accompany their children in this journey. We want to make sure that First Holy Communion is not and does not remain a rite of passe but rather it is a moment that the children will always remember ensuring that they understand the centrality of this sacrament in our spiritual life.