THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
(FIRST COMMUNION)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me..."
- Luke 22:19
In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor 10:16-17).
If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your sacrament that you receive. To that which you are you respond “Amen” (“yes, it is true!”) and by responding to it you assent to it. For you hear the words, “the Body of Christ” and respond “Amen.” Be then a member of the Body of Christ that your Amen may be true (St. Augustine, Sermon 272: PL 38, 1247).
Children normally receive their First Communion in the second grade, and the Archdiocese of New York requires a minimum of two years of either Catholic School or Parish Religious Education (normally first and second grade). For older children, the two-year requirement still applies, and First Communion can be celebrated at any age. For adults who are baptized Catholics, but have not yet received their First Communion, preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is through the parish Adult Initiation process.
