During First Communion, a person first receives the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Christ). The Roman Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is actually present in the elements of the Eucharist, and that once they are blessed and consecrated, they cease to be mere bread and wine and they become Christ. Some other denominations treat Communion as a symbolic meal or a token of remembrance.

Whether it is perceived literally or figuratively, partaking of Holy Communion can bring you closer to Christ and help you focus on His finished work and what His broken Body and shed Blood mean for your life today. His Body was broken so your body could be healthy (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 11:24). His Blood was shed for forgiveness of sins and to make you the righteousness of God in Christ (Matthew 26:28; John 6:56; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7). He redeemed you from the curse of the law by His shed Blood (Galatians 3:13), so that you could have a life of blessing and abundance (John 10:10).

Roman Catholics believe this event to be very important, as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church. First Communion typically takes place around age seven or eight. This is a wonderful age in a child’s life to place the proper importance on regularly receiving Communion and training them as to how this can be an important way to focus on and honor Christ’s sacrifice.

First Communion should first and foremost holy, which simply means “separated unto God”. It should also be a memorable and special occasion that a child can reflect on as an crucial point in their walk of faith. Truly, First Communion is an initiation into one of the Great Mysteries. Parents and godparents are responsible for preparing the child by firmly grounding him/her in basic catechesis.

First Communion is a notable and festive occasion for Roman Catholic families. Traditions surrounding First Communion usually include large family gatherings and parties to celebrate the event and special clothing is usually worn. The clothing is often white to symbolize purity.

Gifts of a religious nature are usually given. Rosaries are a very popular First Communion gift. Rosaries can be used to guide a child to prayer and fellowship with God. Beads, in fact, have long been a spiritual tool. The Middle English word “bede” means “prayer.” The expression “to bid (or tell) the beads” meant to say one’s prayers.

Other special gifts of religious jewelry, keepsake Bibles and prayer books, and religious statues and icons are also very traditional. They are a wonderful way to convey your support and excitement for this foundational step in the life of faith of a child.

Shop our incredible selection of First Communion gifts today!

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”” John 11:25 NJKV

While listening to a recent message by Jack Hayford on the “Spirit Formed” broadcast, I heard him describe Easter in this way…

The whole message of Easter is not that there was an event. The whole message of Easter is that Easter released a power that guarantees to everyone who will come to Him that there is a force that will reverse any situation that looks like its been a set up for a put down…to reverse everything in our lives that looks dead. But there is no promise of a schedule, of a schedule that will suit us.

Easter released a power into our lives that is available to us every day. Jesus is ever-present with us and He’s given us the Holy Spirit to forever abide in us. He is “the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25). When we believe in Him, life is present ALL THE TIME. There is a constant release of divine life and grace that’s always there for us.

We need to not only be conscious that it is there, that HE is there, but we need to RECEIVE this power so it can work in our lives. God will never force His will upon us, but His will for us is always for life and health and fulfillment.

If there is any area of your life that seems “dead” as we celebrate Easter this year, look to Jesus and receive His life-giving power for that situation. Receive His wisdom as your answer. Receive His strength to continue on the journey. Receive His deliverance.

There is no promise that it will happen on OUR schedule, but there is a promise that it WILL happen. Hold fast to that promise and you will see it realized!

Simply say, “Thank You, Jesus, for Your resurrection power that is available me to today to breathe Your divine life into my situation. I receive from You this free gift of power and declare that it will infuse my situation with life. Thank You for reversing anything that looks like a put-down in my life, for promising to turn it around for my good, and for using it to bring glory to the Father. I trust You and look to You as the source of the answer for every problem I am facing. In Your Precious Name, Amen.”