We know and believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave us this Sacrament the night before He died. He sat with His Disciples to celebrate the Passover Meal. Jesus took the bread blessed it and said “This is my Body that will be given up for you. Do this in memory of me” He took the cup with wine blessed it saying, “This is the cup of my Blood which will be given up for you” These are the same words that the priest says at Consecration during Holy Mass. He showed us the love He has for us in that meal. The bread and wine that we offer are transformed into the real Body and Blood of Jesus!
The first time that we receive the Holy Eucharist is called our First Holy Communion. It is a very special and holy occasion. We were going to receive Jesus, our Precious Lord for the first time! This is one of the Sacraments that make us fully Catholic.
This Sacrament is given to us when we are about seven or eight years of age. We prepare our souls and also our bodies to receive Jesus. We have to be Baptized before we can receive this Sacrament. We make our First Confession a few days before we receive our First Holy Communion. We prepare our souls to receive Jesus. Our parents and teachers also help to prepare us by teaching us about Jesus and the Church. The Eucharist is the Heart of the Catholic Church.
The day of our First Holy Communion we also prepare our bodies to receive Jesus. We bring ourselves as best as we can. This is cause for celebration. Before we receive the Eucharist we fast and do not eat food one hour before we are to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
We prepare our minds and bodies by quietly ourselves and we listen attentively during Mass. When we are going up to receive the Holy Eucharist, we go in a prayerful and reverent manner because we are going to receive Jesus. What a joy and what a gift it is to be able to receive Jesus!
We attend Mass as often as possible to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. When we have sinned, we go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation before we receive Communion again. We continue to receive Holy Communion for the rest of our lives because it gives us grace and strengthens us in our daily lives.
The Holy Eucharist is kept in a Tabernacle inside the church. There is a red light above or to the side of it that is always lit. it reminds us that Jesus is present. We show respect and reverence when we enter the Church by bowing or kneeling. Jesus invites us to come and visit and pray in His presence in the Tabernacle.
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