The Eucharist is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, which he instituted to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until his return in glory. Thus he entrusted to his Church this memorial of his death and Resurrection. It is 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. Cf. (Com of CCC 271).
When did Jesus Christ institute the Eucharist?
Jesus instituted the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, "the night on which he was betrayed"(1Corinthians 11:23), as he celebrated the Last Supper with his apostles. Cf. (Com of CCC 272).
How did he institute the Eucharist?
After he had gathered with his apostles in the Cenacle, Jesus took bread in his hands. He broke it and gave it to them saying, "Take this and eat it, all of you; this is my body which will be given up for you". Cf. (Com. of CCC 273).
What does the Eucharist represent in the life of the Church?
It is the source and summit of all Christian life. In the Eucharist, the sanctifying action of God in our regard and our worship of him reach their high point. It contains the whole spiritual good of the Church, Christ himself, our Pasch. Communion with divine life and the unity of the people of God are both expressed. Through the Eucharistic celebration we are united already with the liturgy of heaven and we have a foretaste of eternal life. Cf. (Com. of CCC 274).
A Prayer for those who are preparing Children for their First Holy Communion
O Jesus, who has loved us with such exceeding great love
as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist,
inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory
by preparing worthily the little children
who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time.
Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
these young souls from the assaults of evil,
strengthen their faith,
increase their love and endow them
with all the virtues that will make them
worthy to receive Thee.
Amen.
Saint John the Baptist,
forerunner of the Messias,
prepare the way for Jesus in the hearts of these children.
Saint Tarcisius,
keep safe the children who are making their First Holy Communion.
Prayer before Holy Communion
Lord Jesus, come to me, Lord Jesus, give me your love.
Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself.
Lord Jesus, friend of children, come to me.
Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer after Holy Communion
Lord Jesus, I love and adore you. You are a special friend to me.
Welcome, Lord Jesus, o wecome, thank you for coming to me.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, o thank you for giving yourself to me.
Make me strong to show your love where ever I may be.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay,
close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all of us children in your loving care
and bring us to heaven to live with you there.
I'm ready now, Lord Jesus, to show how much I care.
I'm ready now to give your love at home and everywhere.
Amen.
How should Holy Communion be received?
O Jesus, who has loved us with such exceeding great love
as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist,
inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory
by preparing worthily the little children
who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time.
Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
these young souls from the assaults of evil,
strengthen their faith,
increase their love and endow them
with all the virtues that will make them
worthy to receive Thee.
Amen.
forerunner of the Messias,
prepare the way for Jesus in the hearts of these children.
Saint Tarcisius,
keep safe the children who are making their First Holy Communion.
Prayer before Holy Communion
Lord Jesus, come to me, Lord Jesus, give me your love.
Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself.
Lord Jesus, friend of children, come to me.
Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer after Holy Communion
Lord Jesus, I love and adore you. You are a special friend to me.
Welcome, Lord Jesus, o wecome, thank you for coming to me.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, o thank you for giving yourself to me.
Make me strong to show your love where ever I may be.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay,
close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all of us children in your loving care
and bring us to heaven to live with you there.
I'm ready now, Lord Jesus, to show how much I care.
I'm ready now to give your love at home and everywhere.
Amen.
How should Holy Communion be received?
Holy Communion should be received with the utmost reverence. If one is in the company of a King, Queen or person of great rank, they act with respect and behave well. So too with Our Blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, present in each Holy Communion.
We ought to receive Him with holy fear, angelic reverence, and a burning desire.
On the burning desire which certain devout people feel for the body of Christ.
The Disciple: What treasures of loving-kindness, Lord, dost thou store up for the men who fear thee.
When I think of certain devout people who approach your Sacrament, Lord, with such great devotion and longing, I am often utterly ashamed. I blush to think that I come so coldly and indifferently to your altar and the table of Holy Communion, and that my heart remains so unmoved and loveless. I feel no consuming flame in your presence, O God; I am not drawn and moved as many devout people hav been, who could not keep love that moved their hearts. Their bodies no less than their souls gasped, O God, for you, the living water, they could not satisfy or appease theirhunger except by receiving your body with joy and spiritual longing. Their faith was a true and burning faith, a reliable proof of your holy preence. For the people who really recognise their Lord when Cf. (The imitation of Christ, Thomas A Kempis).
Let us remember all the little children who will be making First Holy Communion in our family, parish, town, country and around the world. May God keep their little hearts pure and infuse them with a burning desire for him alone.