First Communion memories: ‘Do this in remembrance of me’

It is a time in the practice of our faith that represents a rite of passage: Celebrating the sacrament of first Communion.

Do you remember partaking in your first Communion or do you remember your child receiving Communion for the first time?

My first Communion was one of my earliest memories of practicing my faith. I still remember the excitement of preparing for this sacrament. It was an awakening of my faith to be able to actively participate in Mass that I attended every Sunday. I still recall the day of celebration of my spirit connecting with Christ.

My youngest daughter is preparing for her first Communion. Her milestone has me revisiting my anticipation of participating in this holy sacrament. She is counting down every week we go to Mass until she can receive the Eucharist. She has made a banner for the special Mass and has picked out what she will wear. She practices the motions every single day.

So, I asked her, “What does it mean to you to make your first Communion?” She said, “First Communion represents the remembrance of Jesus.”    

Remembrance is an important part of our Catholic religion. We are believers by remembering our faith and those who have come before us. We not only remember, but we live by and trust in God’s word. We embrace the faithful night when “he took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me’” (Luke 22:19).

Those instructions from Jesus are considered the foundation of our faith.

Time and time again, we are blessed and nourished by the body and blood of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Through Communion, God remembers his promises to us. Christ’s body was given for you; his blood poured out for you: “Do this in remembrance of me!”

It is such a blessing as parents to be a part of the remembrance of our daughter’s first Communion journey – to experience her growth as a spiritual being and her growth in her faith. As this special day approaches, our hope for her is that partaking in this holy sacrament will transform her as a spiritual being, just as it did for us in our faith.

Our hope also is that she will carry a remembrance of this experience with her as she continues on her own spiritual journey.

Lord, we thank you and praise you for the most precious gift of this sacrament of the holy Eucharist. We ask you to bless all those who are preparing to receive your body and blood. We are grateful you always provide for us through the gift of your body and blood in the Eucharist. Lord, we ask you to assist our children to prepare to receive you for their first holy Communion. We pray that you continue to help all of us grow with you spiritually and to always appreciate the great gifts you have given us for our salvation.

Kristy Solis grew up in Meraux, where she still resides with her family. She has practiced as a registered nurse and a family nurse practitioner. She serves full-time as a nursing faculty member with the University of Holy Cross. Personally, Kristy’s husband serves the country in the United States Army.