Next Saturday, many of the children in our faith community will make their First Holy Communion at Saint Brigid. They will share with us in the fullness of the Lord’s Supper for the first time. Many of their parents and other loved ones will watch proudly as these children, with great devotion, take this important step on their journey of faith. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church “…reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason”, which is traditionally considered to be the age of seven.
As Catholics, we are called to focus on our devotion to the Eucharist. This devotion was shared by Our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Commenting on the Eucharist, he noted, “The dual fruit of the Eucharist: first, union with Christ and second, communion between those who are nourished by Him generates and continually renews the Christian community.”
As we reflect on these words of Pope Francis and as we celebrate the First Holy Communion of our children at Saint Brigid, we are reminded that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. We are invited to bond with each other by nourishing together on the Bread of Life in the Eucharist, and then by going forth in loving service of our brothers and sisters, especially our brothers and sisters in need.
The following ‘First Holy Communion” prayer from the media outlet “Catholic Company.com” expresses our thanks for the great gift of Holy Communion from the perspective of a child:
Lord Jesus, I love and adore You.
You are a special friend to me.
In the Sacrament of the Eucharist,
You have left me the amazing expression of Your limitless love.
Welcome, Jesus! Thank you for coming to me and giving me the opportunity
to experience Your love in Holy Communion.
May Your Eucharistic presence keep me ever free from sin,
strengthened in faith, filled with love for God and neighbor,
and fruitful in virtue, that I may continue to receive You throughout life
and reach final union with You at death. Amen.
As we take this prayer to heart, we are reminded that the word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks.” And on the very special day of First Holy Communion, we can once again thank the Lord for the great gift of the Eucharist. We can also thank the Lord for our wonderful children, and for our vibrant faith community of Saint Brigid.