Holy Communion

Our older students have been learning about the sacraments with a recent focus on the Eucharist. Father Neil explained that this very special visible sign of Christ’s body and blood is the principal act of Christian worship (also known as Holy Communion). The term “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word for “thanksgiving.” The Eucharist is based on the Last Supper where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples. Jesus identified the bread and wine as his body and blood and explained that they are symbols of the new life he came to bring us. The Last Supper provides the basis for the fourfold Eucharistic action of taking, blessing, breaking, and sharing. Christ's body and blood are really present in the sacrament of the Eucharist and received by faith. Christ's presence is also known in the gathered Eucharistic community.  Students were also given an up-close, “behind the scenes” look at the altar and aumbry where they talked about the meaning of the vestments and how the altar is set up and why.  Thank you, Father Neil, for presenting such an important lesson in an interactive and memorable way!

When is my child old enough to receive Communion?

The short answer is “any baptized person is welcome to receive communion in the Episcopal Church.” That includes children and even infants. It may help to think of receiving Communion this way: As we gather to be fed with the spiritual food of Christ, we are, in a very real sense, gathering for a family meal. In this way, a child who receives the sacrament is being treated as a member of the family of God--being nourished in much the same way that we feed our families at home.

In the Episcopal Church, in keeping with the practices of the ancient church, the emphasis is placed upon Baptism. Once an individual is baptized they are viewed as full members of the Body of Christ with access to the sacraments. Nothing “completes” Baptism—neither First Communion, nor Confirmation, nor reaching a certain age. This is why children are welcome to receive Holy Communion. This doesn’t mean that children are fully formed as Christians; none of us are. We spend our entire lives living into our Baptismal vows and entering into the mystery of Christ’s “real presence” in the bread and wine of the Eucharist

Praying the Holy Eucharist with the Elementary Child 

In the Eucharistic Liturgy, we see the great gift from God to man and our response in offering Jesus, and ourselves through him, back to God. Let us become attuned to this great exchange! Participation in the Holy Eucharist consists, most essentially, in uniting our hearts and minds to the events taking place before and around us.  Perhaps one of the follow ideas could help you and your children in this: 

• Talk about one gesture before the liturgy and look for it during worship. Discuss as a family what you were picturing or thinking about when this gesture was prayed during the Eucharist.
 • Listen for the words of prayer that accompany one gesture. How did this help you to ponder this moment more deeply? What truth did you hear through your watching and listening?
• How do you see all of creation as part of this exchange between earth and heaven, heaven and earth? How are minerals, plants, animals, and humans part of this worship of God? 
• The Eucharist is the Risen Jesus. How do you see that truth expressed in the way we prepare our Church and prepare our hearts for him each time we participate in the liturgy? 
• As branches on the True Vine, how are we remaining with him and with each other through the Holy Eucharist? What fruit are we bearing that gives great glory to God through Jesus?
(Adapted From: https://www.cgsusa.org/discover/cgs-approach/cgs-in-the-home-parent-resources/)