On Our First Holy Communion…

They say that every Holy Communion we receive should be as if it were our First Holy Communion (remember the excitement, the purity of our hearts...!), as if it were our only Holy Communion, and as if it were our last Holy Communion (the one we will receive from the priest, hopefully, the day of our death). How are our Communions? Let me give two suggestions in order to take more advantage of our reception of the Holy Eucharist.

1)  There is a prayer for First Holy Communion which I think is beautiful: it says,

Jesus I know

That you are in the Host.

I cannot see You

But I know You are there.

Give me faith,

Give me love,

That I may love You always

As I love You today.

Faith and love are essential to make good Holy Communions. Faith in the Real Presence and a real love for Jesus and everything He commands.

2)  Holy Communion does not end when we receive it: we then go to our pew and pray and give thanks... How do we pray after Holy Communion? Once I read[1] that you should do three things:

-  First, give thanks: Jesus cannot give us anything better than Himself. By giving you His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, Jesus commits to you and reassures you of His help. Give Him thanks! And if you don’t know how to thank Him properly, ask Our Lady to help you.

-  Second, love Jesus. Respond to the gift of Jesus with the gift of yourself. Choose Jesus as He has chosen you. Jesus does not need your things, He wants your love.

-  Third, ask Jesus for what you need, for yourself and for others. Do not forget yourself: you are important for Jesus. Do not forget that spiritual needs are more important than bodily needs. And remember that there is no better moment to pray for you and for others than the moment He is so present to you.

Remember, three things: Jesus I THANK YOU, Jesus I LOVE YOU, Jesus I ASK YOU.

May Our Lady help us to receive Holy Communion in a way that is beneficial to us, with pure hearts and strong faith. May the Eucharistic Banquet prepare us for the eternal Banquet of Heaven.


[1] Cf. Alonso Rodríguez, Ejercicio de perfección y virtudes cristianas (México: Herrero Hermanos, 1894), pp. 308-310.

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