Holy Communion
The Sacrament of the Eucharist stands at the heart of the Catholic faith as a profound expression of divine love and the pinnacle of Christian life. Instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, it commemorates His sacrifice on the Cross and embodies the real presence of Christ in the form of bread and wine. As both a sacrament and a sacrifice, the Eucharist is a source of spiritual nourishment and grace, uniting believers not only with Christ but also with each other as the Body of Christ. It is celebrated in the liturgy of the Mass, where the faithful participate in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, experiencing His death and resurrection. The Eucharist, often called the "source and summit of the Christian life," deepens the communion with God and strengthens the bonds of the Church community
First holy communion and confirmation of our children from all the mass centres for the year 2024 will be held on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
Rev. Bishop Joseph Srampickal has kindly consented to our request to be the celebrant for the mass on that day.
This will be held at the Our Lady Help of Christians Church at West Byfleet at 03:30 PM.
Please contact the trustees from each centre and confirm if your child is interested in receiving their first holy communion and confirmation.
They will also receive the First Holy Communion and Confirmation certificates from our Eparchy, which are valid to be used in the UK and rest of the world; for example, for school admissions to catholic schools in the UK.Â
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Eucharist holds central importance in the life of the Church and the individual believer, reflecting its depth and significance in several key aspects:
Source and Summit of Christian Life: The Eucharist is described as the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). This expression underscores that all forms of sanctity and spiritual activities in the Church are bound up with the Eucharist and oriented towards it.
Real Presence of Christ: The Eucharist is the sacrament in which Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearances of bread and wine (CCC 1374). This real presence is a mystery of faith, affirming that Christ is genuinely present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist.
Memorial of Christ’s Passover: The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of His unique sacrifice (CCC 1362-1367). In the liturgy of the Eucharist, the Church and the faithful, in particular, remember and participate in the sacrifice Jesus offered on the cross.
Unity with Christ and the Church: Through the Eucharist, those who partake of it are united more closely with Christ (CCC 1391). It also brings about the unity of the faithful, who form one body in Christ, the Church (CCC 1396).
Spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace: The Eucharist is spiritual food that nourishes the soul (CCC 1392), sustaining and increasing the life of grace received at Baptism. This sacrament fortifies the recipient against sin and helps to grow in the life of virtue.
Pledge of Future Glory: The Eucharist is also a pledge of future glory and eternal life with Christ (CCC 1402). It offers a foretaste of the heavenly banquet and the promise of eternal life with God
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) delves deeply into the essence of the Eucharist in its discussion of “The Paschal Banquet,” particularly in paragraphs 1382 to 1390. This segment of the Catechism illuminates the multifaceted nature of the Eucharist as both a sacrificial memorial and a sacred banquet.
The Mass – Sacrificial Memorial and Sacred Banquet: The Mass is described as inseparably both the sacrificial memorial, perpetuating the sacrifice of the cross, and the sacred banquet of communion with the Lord’s body and blood (CCC 1382). It is directed towards fostering an intimate union of the faithful with Christ through communion, emphasizing that to receive Communion is to receive Christ Himself, who has offered Himself for us.
The Altar – A Dual Symbol: The altar holds a dual significance, representing both the altar of the sacrifice and the table of the Lord (CCC 1383). It is symbolic of Christ Himself, present in the assembly as both the victim offered for reconciliation and the heavenly food given to us. This dual role of the altar highlights the unity of sacrifice and communion in the Eucharist.
Invitation to Communion: Jesus’ invitation to receive Him in the Eucharist is underlined with the assertion that partaking in His body and blood is essential for life (CCC 1384). This invitation requires preparation and a state of grace, as emphasized by St. Paul’s warning to examine one’s conscience before partaking in the Eucharist (CCC 1385).
Humility Before the Sacrament: The faithful approach the Eucharist with humility and faith, echoing the Centurion’s words of unworthiness and trust in Jesus’ healing word (CCC 1386). This attitude is reflected in both the Roman Missal and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
Preparation for Reception: The preparation for receiving the Eucharist involves observing the prescribed fast and maintaining a demeanor of respect and solemnity (CCC 1387). This preparation is both physical and spiritual, ensuring that one receives Christ with due reverence.
Frequency of Reception: The faithful are encouraged to receive communion frequently, especially during the Mass, as it completes their participation in the priest’s offering (CCC 1388). The Church obliges the faithful to participate in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, ideally during the Easter season (CCC 1389).
Communion Under Both Kinds: While receiving under the species of bread alone conveys the full grace of the Eucharist, the sign of communion is more complete when received under both kinds, as it more clearly represents the Eucharistic meal (CCC 1390). This practice varies between the Latin rite and the Eastern rites.