IN THIS ISSUE

From the Desk of
Fr. John Madigan, O.M.I.

Always Close to the People

Why Do We...

The Lives of Saints

Missionary Oblates in Ireland

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lourdes

Spring at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Two Angels Speak

An Unexpected Gift

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Of all the milestones in a child’s life, receiving the Sacrament of
First Holy Communion is one that can be surpassed by few others. Much like the child’s move from a high chair to a throne at the dining table, receiving this Sacrament signifies that the child, previously Baptized in Christ, is now ready to join his or her family at the Lord’s dinner table. During this gathering, our “family of faith” joins together to celebrate our bond as a family joined by God’s love.

Jesus celebrated this Communion meal with His closest friends and followers – His faith family. At this celebration, He broke the bread and passed the cup of wine. Corinthians 11: 24-26 reads, “ ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ And in the same way, with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new Covenant in My blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of Me.’ Whenever you eat this bread, then, and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes.”

Father John Madigan, O.M.I., Oblate Director at the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate, has had many experiences with First Holy ommunions.“Throughout the years, as I have celebrated the First Holy Communion Mass, I have often remarked that First Holy Communion Masses renew the young person within us all.”
It is through the Holy Eucharist that we are invited to further our relationship with the Father, praying that we, too, may become the body and blood of Christ. The celebration of the First Holy Communion is the first time that this momentous experience is possible – and the Sacrament invites these new members of the Church to join the Lord and family of faith to eat a meal together in His name.

A child typically receives his or her First Holy Communion at the age
of 6 or 7, although, this hasn’t always been the case. In the early stages of the Church, the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) were celebrated all at one time. As the Church grew older, though, the Sacraments became separate from one another. Baptism remained a Sacrament that was given primarily to an infant born into a Christian family, but First Holy Communion and Confirmation was deferred until later in life when the child was educated about the Sacrament at hand. This allows the child to recognize the importance of the event.

Father John Madigan reflects, “Witnessing a First Holy Communion brings back the memory of the day when we celebrated our own First Holy Communion, and we recall those who were with us on that happy day. I, personally, recall the Pastor who celebrated the Mass on that day: Fr. John Savage, O.M.I., gave me my First Holy Communion. Father Savage was more a gentle lamb than savage!”

Experiencing this first taste of the Body and Blood of Christ is indeed a wonderful moment. Pope John Paul II once wrote, “From the Eucharist the Church draws Her life. From this ‘Living Bread’ She draws Her nourishment. How could I not feel the need to urge everyone to experience it ever anew?”

We are all called to celebrate the Eucharist, not only on our First Holy Communion Day, but each and every time we join together at the Table of Christ. Father John adds, “After all is said and done, every Priest at every Mass repeats twice the words of Jesus: ‘Whenever you do this, you do it in memory of Me.’ ”

Inviting Children into our Family of Faith

It is important to initiate children into the Church at an early age:

• Welcome children with a smile to weekly Masses.
• Recognize achievements, such as a child’s attentiveness or participation in the Mass.
• Tell children who are preparing for their First Holy Communion how excited you are that they will be joining the adults at the Lord’s Table.
• Emphasize that the First Holy Communion is just that: a first. The child will receive the Eucharist each week from this point forward, and each receiving should be treated with as much respect and dignity as the first.

Boy’s First Holy
Communion
Rosary and Pouch

Featuring black glass beads and a centerpiece with the image of Christ, this rosary includes a Chalice and Host medal. Includes a black velour pouch.

$12 (suggested donation)

Personalized Boy’s First Holy Communion Cross

The coordinating stained-wood cross can hang as a lasting memory of his special day. Pewter Chalice and Host detail, measures 7 1/2” high.

$18 (suggested donation)

Girl’s First Holy Communion Cross

Let her treasure her First Communion day all year round by hanging this fantastic wooden cross, painted white, on her bedroom wall. Features pewter Chalice and Host detail, measures 7 1/2” high.

$18 (suggested donation)

Girl’s First Holy Communion Rosary and Pouch

The coordinating rosary has pearl glass beads, a heart-shaped centerpiece with the image of the Madonna, and a Chalice and Host medal. A white satin tapestry pouch is included. $12 (suggested donation)