Let us not take for granted the great gift of holy Communion

Dear Young Church,

This is the time of the year in which we celebrate with second graders first holy Communion. May I address this particular column directly to the second graders and remind those of you who are in upper grades to realize the gift that you received at your first Communion?

To the second graders:

You have been going to church for a couple of years and have not been able to receive Communion. I am sure that some of you wanted to receive Communion and may have even put your hand out or opened your mouth to receive the Eucharist, but you were unable because you had not celebrated first holy Communion. You now will have the opportunity to receive Communion with your family and the other members of the congregation.

Thank you for being the young Church of Faith and in receiving the risen Lord Jesus Christ at Communion. This is a very special privilege that is ours – to open our hearts and to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Please realize the privilege that is yours in doing so.

In receiving Christ in the Eucharist, we promise to be more like him in dealing with our families, classmates, teachers and friends. At the end of the Mass, when the priest or deacon says, “Go in peace,” we do not simply leave, but we are sent to bring Christ to the world, especially to those with whom we share daily life.

Please think about your first holy Communion before you go to church, and thank Jesus for coming to you in the Eucharist. We believe as Catholics that what we receive in Communion is the body and blood of Christ, and that he comes to live in us and through us, to be offered to others.

For those who are reading this who have already received their First Communion, it is a time of renewal and a time when we can grow in a deeper appreciation of Christ in the Eucharist:

Do not take for granted that what you receive is the Body and Blood of Christ. He comes to live in you. St. Paul calls us to put on the mind and the heart of Christ. This means that we try to think like Jesus and love like Jesus. These are important responsibilities that we share as Catholic Christians.

Do not take this for granted, but realize the great privilege that is yours.

Wishing you God’s blessings, I am a brother in Christ,

Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans