Preparing to Receive the eucharist

Preparing to Receive the Eucharist
 

1.  During the next few weeks prior to the special day, the best way to prepare your child is to bring him/her to Mass.  The focus of the Sunday liturgy is the focus of our faith – receiving the Eucharist.  The word communion means that we are united with Jesus Christ and one another.

 

1.  Whenever you are working on plans for the First Communion Day, take a minute to thank Jesus for coming to us.  As important as the celebration is, try to talk about the fact that receiving Jesus is more important.

 

1. As a sign of respect for Jesus, Catholics fast before receiving Holy Communion.  This means that we do not eat or during anything for one hour before Communion time.  Drinking water does not break our fast.

 

1. When Communion time comes, the priest or Eucharistic minister holds the host up to each of us and says, “The Body of Christ.”  We believe that Jesus is really present in Holy Communion.  We say, “Amen.”  Amen is a word that says “Yes, I believe.”

 

1. You can choose to receive the host in your hand.  To do this, you put your right hand under your left hand and hold both hands out, palms up, to receive the host.  You then use your right hand to but the host in your mouth.

 

1. After communion, Jesus is really present with us.  We can tell Jesus whatever is in our hearts.  We can say a prayer thanking Jesus for coming to us.

 
Here is an after-Communion prayer your child might memorize:
 
Stay with me, Jesus,
help me do what is right.
Stay with me, Jesus,
each day and night.
Thank you, Jesus, for coming to us.