"Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs." cf.(NJB. Mk. 10:14)
This month of May, parents all around the world hear the words of God spoken in the Gospel as they prepare their children for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. It is an exciting time for them. There is the spiritual and material preparation. The spiritual preparation is done at home and also in school and church. The children are instructed on the Sacrament they are about to receive and are filled with the joy and anticipation in receiving it.
Here in St. Mary's Church, Drogheda, the children come to a weekly school mass where Fr. Denis and Fr. Joe explain the different parts of the mass to them. They teach the children how to pray the prayers of the mass and how to listen to and understand the word of God in the readings and the Gospel. What is most striking about the preparation of the children is the instruction they are given when they will receive the Body of Christ. Each child is carefully instructed on how to hold their hands if they will be receiving on the hand and how to place the host on their tongue if receiving on the tongue. They are then instructed to bless themselves before leaving the altar. The teachers make sure that the children do not talk after receiving a blessing from the Priest. This prepares them for the silence they will need to have when they do receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
When Jesus said "Let the little children come to me," He desired to have union with them. They will come to him at the altar, receive him and then have union with him. It is important as parents to point out to our children what is happening and who they will receive on this special day.
This training and instruction was given to a very high degree in times past. Now it can be a hit or miss affair. The family is the "Domestic Church" and therefore should be the first school of spiritual learning. Even at a young age children have the ability to grasp and understand spiritual things as the Holy Spirit will teach them and guide them.
A very useful point to teach the little children is the art of closing the eyes to things that hapen around them. Long ago at Mass women wore scarves and these scarves proved to be a big distraction to having union with Jesus as one's union was centered on what was painted on the scarf and not on Jesus. Jesus said "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." The eye has a lot to answer for, even with little children. When the eye sees things it relates these things to the brain and in turn these things become thoughts and desires. If the eye is trained not to wander and look, the mind and intellect is then free to focus on God.
When one receives Communion, it is good to give all attention to God. God demands our attention and teaching your child this is one of the greatest things you can give to them. Encourage your child to pray quietly to God before and after Holy Communion. Prayer before is a time to prepare for Jesus who will come into their souls and prayer after is a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus himself and for all the godness in life. Holy Communion time is a time for "Jesus and Me" and no one else should be present. After receiving Holy Communion Jesus is present for some time and silence should be maintained. To talk straight after Mass is to forget Jesus and to ignore him.
Let this day be really special for you and your child. Let it be a real meeting with Jesus Christ. Let your child "come and have union" with Jesus. The rest of the day will be filled with earthly things such as clothes, food, money and entertainment, but let Jesus be remembered, loved and thanked in all these things and then the day will really be special.
Prayer for a Parent preparing their child for First Holy Communion
My Beloved Jesus, it is you who said "Let the little children come to Me." I desire that my son/daughter will come to you and receive you in First Holy Communion. It is you who have placed this desire in me and I thank you.
Help me to listen to my child with ears of love and to instruct my child with your Divine Wisdom.
May your Divine Heart love my child,
May your Divine Hands bless my child,
May your Divine Eyes look upon my child,
May your Divine Ears hear my child,
May your Divine lips speak to my child,
May your Divine feet follow my child,
and make them one with you.
O Divine Jesus, when temptation nears my child,
make them strong against it,
and in the moment of temptation may they always say,
Jesus mercy, Mary help.
Amen.
Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the holy sacrifice identifies us with his heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints. Cf. (CCC 1419).