St. Benedict youngsters receive First Communion

A group of 18 students from the religious education program of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee recently received First Communion during a Sunday Mass.
The majority of the students were in second grade with a few in higher grades. The occasion marked a major milestone in the faith formation process of these youngsters because Catholic children are permitted to receive the Eucharist only when they have attained the age of discretion.
The Catholic Church asserts that the age of discretion is not the mere attainment of a definite number of years in a child’s physiological growth. Rather, it is the arrival at a certain stage in a child’s mental development when he or she is able to discern the dignity and excellence of the sacrament of the Eucharist.
First Communion also is important to Catholic children because it helps them preserve, augment and renew the life of grace they received at baptism.
The Catholic Church attaches much importance to the Eucharist because it is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ, who, through these sacraments, communicates his grace to his people. 
The Eucharist is theologically the central theme of worship for Catholics and it is the pre-eminent sacrament upon which all other sacraments and ecclesiastical ministries derive meanings. It was instituted by Christ himself in the Last Supper and is the source and summit of Catholic life.
The students prepared for their First Communion by attending a comprehensive course of religious instruction on the Eucharist and the Mass.
They also learned about the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) prior to receiving First Communion because the prerequisite to receive the Eucharist is to be in a state of grace, or without sins.
They were taught the necessity to be reconciled with Christ after having sinned so they could be restored to God’s grace.
The Rev. Maurus Jaeb, O.S.B., pastor of St. Benedict Church, said: “Christ’s words’ ‘Let the little children come to me’ are truly fulfilled as these children received the holy Eucharist for the first time. This is a wonderful celebration for us and we congratulate the children and their parents on this special occasion in their spiritual life.”
A reception was held at the Benedict Center for the children and their families after the ceremony.