First Holy Communion

Homily for First Holy Communion

by Fr. Tommy Lane

Girls and boys, you have been looking forward to this day for a long time and now you are excited. You are special and important today and that is why we are all here for you. I have never seen you looking as well as you this morning. You look like princesses and princes! You have put on your best clothes to meet Jesus in Holy Communion. But more important than the clothes you wear is that you have also prepared your hearts to meet Jesus. That is why you made your First Confession and recently again your second Confession. You have been praying to Jesus every day because you want to make sure your heart is ready for Jesus. When Jesus comes to you, tell him you love him, and thank him for coming to you.

After Mass everyone will make a fuss of you. I am sure you will have lots of nice things to eat. Jesus also wants you to have a good time. He wants you to enjoy yourselves. Just remember that it is all because Jesus has come to you. You will get presents and white envelopes with money inside. But remember the most important present today is Jesus coming to you in Holy Communion. Jesus coming to you is the best gift you will receive today. Jesus is more important than all the money or presents or nice food. Continue to pray to Jesus and Mary every day because they love you so much.

Parents, for you too this is a special day, and a happy day. Today you see your children take a new step in faith as you present them to share with us all in the fullness of the Lord’s Supper for the first time. It is fitting you should lead them forward in this way because you were reminded when you had them baptized that you are their first teachers in the ways of faith. It is through you more than anyone else they have come to know about God. And it is on you they will continue to depend for many years yet, to help them grow in their response to God’s love in their lives. No matter what the teacher, who is excellent, or parish does, unless the children sense their parents’ faith they will not absorb faith. The faith you hand on will be their strength through life. You hand on faith, you have no choice about that. The choice you have is to hand on the faith badly or well. Your family needs religion. It is not something they need only when there is a crisis. Teachers and priests cannot plant faith in the heart of your children if you do not. Jesus said, “What does it profit to gain the whole world but to lose your soul?” (Mark 8:36; Matt 16:26)

Relations, friends, teachers, people of the parish, this is a time of great rejoicing for you also. You have in various ways helped to lead these children to this special day. And you too have a care for their future growth in the faith. Remember them in your prayers.

Finally children the last word is for you. I still remember my First Holy Communion and remember the seat in the Church where I sat with my family. I hope you don’t forget today, your First Holy Communion Day. May Jesus make this day a very happy day for you and your families. May he bring you great joy and fill your hearts with his love.

This homily was delivered when I was engaged in parish ministry in Ireland before joining the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland.