Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples. “Take it and eat.” he said, “this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them saying, “Drink from this, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Matthew 26: 26-28

The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism, are configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation, participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. CCC 1322

The Eucharist is 'the source and summit of the Christian life'. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesial ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented owards it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whol,e spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasc. CCC 1324

Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all, CCC 1326

After the homily at Sunday Mass, the priest asks the children to stand, with their parents.

Celebrant: My dear children, on the day of your Baptism you became children of our loving, Heavenly Father. You also began your journey of faith in the company of Jesus, his Son. Jesus has already called you to experience his love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You have been able to come to him, tell him your story and know that your sins are forgiven.

But forgiveness is not his only gift to us. In the Mass, he has also given us the gift of his Body and Blood in Holy Communion. When we share in the Mass, we celebrate all that Jesus has done for us by offering his life on the Cross, and rising again from the dead. We are never closer to him than when we gather around the altar as his brothers and sisters to receive his life and love.

Soon, you will be able to receive this wonderful gift for the first time in Holy Communion. Are you willing to prepare for this special moment carefully and prayerfully?

Children: We are.

Celebrant: Parents, are you willing to help and encourage these children as they prepare for their first Holy Communion by bringing them regularly to Mass, and sharing your own faith and love for the Lord with them?

Parents: We are.

The priest now invites the teachers and catechists to stand.

Celebrant: Teachers and catechists, you are already companions to these children as they make their journey of faith and experience the wonderful love of the Lord which he shares with us through the Sacraments. Will you continue in this special role as they now prepare to receive their first Holy Communion?

Teachers and catechists: We will.

Celebrant: Jesus says: “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to me will never be hungry, and he who believes in me will never thirst.”

Lord our God, you give us true Bread from Heaven. Through their sharing in the celebration of the Mass, lead these children to the fullness of life with you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.