Instructed in these matters and certain in faith that what seems to be bread is not bread-though it tastes like it-but rather the Body of Christ and what seems to be wine but is not wine-though it seems so to the taste-but the Blood of Christ. . .strengthen your heart by receiving this Bread as spiritual food and gladden the countenance of your soul.

-St. Cyril of Jerusalem

A devout Christian preparing for marriage to a Holy Rosary parishioner once asked “Why do you act as though communion were the center of your religion? In my church, only Christ is the center.” The answer is clear: the Eucharist is the center of Catholic life precisely because Christ is its center. The same answer would apply when questioned concerning devotion to Mary. Everything the church teaches about Mary is to draw us closer to her son Jesus. It is that same Jesus we receive --body and blood, soul and divinity--in Holy Communion.

This “real presence” is the most intimate union an earthly body will have with the Body of Christ. He becomes part of us, that we might become more like him. Holy Communion is the spiritual nourishment that strengthens and sustains us. The word itself, “eucharist,” comes from the word for thanksgiving; it is in this sacrifice that we find our small and imperfect gratitude raised up and joined with the praise of the saints and songs of angels. We say “Lord, I am not worthy” not out of guilt or because we are conscious of sin or of impediment; if we were, we would first approach Christ in the Sacrament of Penance. We are not worthy in the deepest sense of that word because this gift, this grace, far surpasses all human merit.

We do, however, speak of making a worthy communion. It is not something to be taken lightly, but reverently and with grateful hearts. Infant baptism is encouraged; infant reception of Communion is not. Children, like us all, need to be prepared and understand it is not bread we receive, but the Bread of Life. That readiness generally happens around the age of seven or eight. Information about children’s religious education for First Holy Communion can be found on the website, as can registration forms. If you are an adult who wishes to return to the Sacraments, or take instruction in the Catholic Church and join us in Holy Communion, we invite you take a look at the RCIA program.