In most parishes, children receive their First Holy Communion during this joyous Easter season. That is not by accident. The Easter victory of Christ, shared with us in the sacraments, reaches its climax in the Holy Eucharist. It is the Easter sacrament par excellance.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation, “The Sacrament of Charity,” writes: “It must never be forgotten that our reception of Baptism and Confirmation is ordered to the Eucharist....The Sacrament of Baptism, by which we were conformed to Christ, incorporated in the Church and made children of God, is the portal to all the sacraments. It makes us part of the one Body of Christ, a priestly people. Still, it is our participation in the eucharistic sacrifice which perfects within us the gifts given to us at Baptism. The gifts of Spirit are given for the building up of Christ’s Body and for ever greater witness to the Gospel in the world. The Holy Eucharist, then, brings Christian initiation to completion and represents the center and goal of all sacramental life.” (No. 17)

Making reference to the beautiful Easter Vigil when converts experience their Christian initiation, Pope Benedict makes the point that this process of conversion also takes place “when parents request the sacraments for their children. In this regard, I would like to call particular attention to the relationship between Christian initiation and the family. In pastoral work, it is always important to make Christian families part of the process of initiation. Receiving Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion are key moments not only for the individual receiving them, but also for the family, which should be supported in its educational role by the various elements of the ecclesial community.”

I think the Holy Father’s helpful explanation is echoed in our Diocesan Synod’s emphasis on the Christian family as the “domestic church.” The Pope continues: “Here I would emphasize the importance of First Holy Communion. For many of the faithful, this day continues to be memorable as the moment when, even in a rudimentary way, they first came to understand the importance of a personal encounter with Jesus. Parish pastoral programs should make the most of this highly significant moment.” (No. 19)

Our parishes do this well, I think. First Holy Communion for children is a wonderful occasion, as is their receiving the Sacrament of Penance some weeks before. Both sacraments flow from Easter. Both are a personal encounter with Jesus and a personal experience of Jesus’ love.

I am one of the “many of the faithful” the Holy Father mentions whose First Holy Communion is memorable. I first had this awesome experience of receiving Jesus on Sunday, May 13, 1945, at our small parish church of the Sacred Heart in Tekoa, Wash. (south of Spokane). I still have the framed certificate hanging in my residence. My Baptism and Confirmation certificates are also so displayed. I never want to forget how incredibly blessed I am from those transforming moments of grace right up to the present moment.

St. Ambrose, in the fourth century reminded the newly-initiated that the Eucharist applies Christ’s resurrection victory to their lives: “Today Christ is yours, yet each day he rises again for you.” No wonder that Catholics attend Mass and receive Holy Communion frequently, not only on Sundays, but also during the week when possible.

The only caution is that we need to receive the Eucharist worthily. Pope Benedict addresses this point also in his recent exhortation. The U.S. bishops did the same last November. The latter’s pamphlet was reprinted in the Catholic Herald of April 7, the Easter issue. I urge all to read it and save it. This simple and readable text is entitled: “Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper — On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist. (http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=719)

The children of our parishes who are receiving their First Holy Communion this Easter season are well-prepared and worthy, as appropriate for their young age. I am happy for them and I thank God for their first encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. May the rest of us strive to retain our own innocence and sense of awe before such a great gift of God’s love. May we never become too “used to” receiving Holy Communion or take it for granted. Let us have the integrity, too, to refrain from receiving Jesus in the Eucharist if we are not properly disposed and in the state of grace.

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