Along with the Sacrament of Baptism, First Holy Communion is one of our three sacraments of initiation. It is through these sacraments of initiation that we become full members of the Church. It is during First Holy Communion that we receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time. The Holy Eucharist refers to Christ’s body, blood, soul and divinity truly present in the consecrated host and wine (now called the Body and Blood of Christ) on the altar. For us as Catholics, there is nothing greater than to receive Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist at Mass.
We extend a special greeting to you if you are trying to find out more about First Holy Communion for yourself or your child.
If you are an adult who is seeking more information on how to become a member of the Catholic Church, or if you are a baptized Catholic who never received First Holy Communion, please check out the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) page on our website. There you will find good information on the process and contact information for the person who can tell you more about it.
If you are visiting our site because your child is approaching second grade, or a little older, and you want to know the process for your child to receive First Holy Communion, welcome! We know what a busy and exciting time this is for your family and we want to assist you in raising your child in the faith. Visit our Parish School of Religion (PSR) page or contact the parish office for more information.
Body of Christ, Broken for the World
The Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.
"At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.”
Sacrament of the Eucharist
What would make us worthy to receive Holy Communion? Simple answer: nothing. We are never worthy of so great a gift. But here’s the exciting part: God offers us this great sacrament freely. So why...
The Meaning of the Eucharist
As a little girl, when I prepared for my First Holy Communion I learned that Jesus was present in the bread and wine. But for many years, I would go to mass and go through the motions Sunday after...