Communion

Sacrament of Communion

The Holy Mass is the renewing of the sacrifice which Christ offered for us, of the sacrifice of atonement for our sins; but the sacrifice is also at the same time the preparation of the Eucharistic meal. The sacrament effects union with Christ; it is nourishment for the soul, gives increase in grace and remits venial sin and punishment. (http://www.catholic.org/prayers/sacrament.php?id=2)

First Holy Communion

First Holy Communion is most often celebrated by children around the age of nine, when they have reached the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. First Holy Communion is to be preceded by the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation.

The best preparation for the Eucharist is taking your child to Mass regularly and helping your child understand what it is all about.

“The Eucharist, instituted by Christ as the Last Supper on the night before his passion, is a sacrament of the new covenant, the greatest of the sacraments. In this sacrament, the Lord becomes food for the soul under the appearance of bread and wine…Children receive this sacrament solemnly a first time and are encouraged to receive it afterwards as often as possible in order to remain in close friendship with Jesus.” 

(Excerpts from Pope John Paul II's " Letter to Children" written in 1994 during the Year of the Family.)