Sacrament of Eucharist/Communion

(Canons 897-958)

"I am the bread of life. Your ancestors are the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." John 6:48-51

Candidates for first Holy Communion are members of the Christian faithful who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation in the Catholic Church, who understand and believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, who are disposed to receive Him and are in the third grade or older.

The parents are actively involved in the preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist/Communion, so that, as primary catechists, they may better assist their child to understand the Eucharistic Celebration as a sacrificial banquet, and prepare for and be well disposed to receive Communion. In order to help parents to be better informed, the parents will be required to participate in a minimum of three two-hour formation sessions, for a total of six hours.

Godparents/Sponsors are not necessary for the reception of First Eucharist. Parents are expected to live a sacramental life so as to lead their child by example, as they give witness to the Gospel in their daily lives. They are to encourage the child, once they have received First Holy Communion, to approach the sacrament frequently and they are to strive to deepen their own understanding of the Sacrament of the Eucharist as part of their own spiritual and sacramental life.

Requirements for entering First Eucharist Program

• must have attended the First Reconciliation Class the previous year and received First Reconciliation
• child must express some desire to receive Jesus
• child must already know the following prayers completely and by memory:
  • Our Father
  • Hail Mary
  • Act of Contrition
  • Glory Be
  • Sign of the Cross
• family must be attending Mass on Sunday's and Holy Days of Obligation, Retreat, Formation Sessions and Parent's Meetings