“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, that we may eat it.’ … When the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood.’”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1339
The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the very heart of Catholic life and worship. In the Eucharist, Jesus Christ gives us His true Body and Blood under the appearances of bread and wine. It is the source and summit of the Christian life, drawing us into communion with Christ and uniting us as one Body, the Church.
First Holy Communion
“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself, our Pasch.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324
The First Reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist is a milestone in a child’s faith journey, drawing them more deeply into communion with Christ and the Church.
Archdiocesan requirements
- The child must be a baptized Catholic and at least 7 years old.
- The child must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before First Communion, with an appropriate interval between the sacraments.
- The child must successfully complete one year of sacramental preparation classes. If completed at another parish, provide a letter from that parish’s Director of Religious Education.
- The child must also enroll in and complete two consecutive years of formal religious education before First Communion. If completed at another parish, provide a letter from that parish’s Director of Religious Education.
- The family must be registered with the parish and attend Mass and Holy Days regularly as a family.
- Records of Baptism and Reconciliation may be required.