1st Communion Homily

Concerning our recent COVID-19 crisis Cardinal Sarah recently stated: “We must return to the Eucharist with joy.”

My dearest children, today you receive a great gift and for that each of us joins with you in your joy. This gift is greater than anything that we can receive in this life for it serves as food for our journey towards the Kingdom of Heaven. This gift is far greater than pizza, video games, and television to name a few for this gift is the Eucharist which is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Dignity of Christ our Lord.

The pope that is held responsible for the lowering of the age of Holy Communion was Pope Pius X. He desired that the faithful would frequently receive the Eucharist especially children. Prior to his involvement the age of First Communion for children was often around 12. The following is an account of his ardent desire for children to receive Holy Communion:

“An Englishwoman who had a private audience with the pope brought her little boy of four to receive his blessing. While she was talking the child stood at a little distance looking on; but presently he crept up to the pope, put his hands on his knees and looked up into his face. "How old is he?" asked Pius, stroking the little head. 

"He is four," answered the mother, "and in two or three years I hope he will make his first communion."

The pope looked earnestly into the child's clear eyes. "Whom do you receive in holy communion?" he asked. 

"Jesus Christ," was the prompt answer. "

And who is Jesus Christ?" 

"Jesus Christ is God," replied the boy, no less quickly. 

"Bring him to me tomorrow," said Pius, turning to the mother, "and I will give him holy communion myself."

And so with that may you realize that you do not receive simple bread, but Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ who is God made Flesh. May the joys of your First Communion be present each and every time that you have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist. To all of us who witness this wondrous reception of Holy Communion may we be inspired and always remember that the one who we receive is Jesus Christ who is God made Flesh.