by Alphonsa Ohol for BIS Mumbai

On February 9, 2025, 41 young communicants of Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada, experienced a momentous day in their faith journey as they received the Sacrament of the First Holy Communion during a Solemn Eucharistic celebration. 

The celebration began with a grand procession. The communicants, dressed in white, carried placards expressing their heartfelt wishes as an offering to Jesus.

As a gesture of praise and gratitude, the children performed an action song- "Praise the Lord". Their innocent voices and joyful movements uplifted everyone present preparing their hearts to enter into the sacred mystery of the Eucharist.  

Fr Michael Fernandes, the Parish Priest, Fr Alex Carvalho, the Assistant Parish Priest, and Fr Bosco D’Mello presided over the Holy Mass, which was marked by deep reverence and devotion. 

In his homily, Fr Michael beautifully reflected on the theme “I am the Bread of Life,” emphasizing the significance of the Holy Eucharist in a Christian’s life. Through captivating stories, including one about Napoleon Bonaparte, who considered his First Holy Communion his greatest treasure, Fr Michael conveyed the profound spiritual power of the sacrament. He further stressed how the Eucharist nourishes the soul, giving strength for life's journey.

Before receiving the Holy Eucharist, the children renewed their baptismal promises with deep faith and fervour. They then recited a prayer of gratitude, thanking Jesus for being with them throughout their preparation and pledging to embody His teachings in their daily lives.

During the distribution of Holy Communion, Fr Michael and Fr Alex administered both species that is the Body and Blood of Christ to the communicants, while Fr Bosco distributed Communion to the parents, reinforcing the family’s role in nurturing their child’s faith.

At the end of the Mass, Mrs Pearl Fernandes, a parent representative, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing deep gratitude on behalf of all parents and children. She acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Parish Fathers and Catechists in preparing the communicants for this significant sacrament.

Fr Michael, in turn, appreciated the dedication of the parents, recognizing their commitment to guiding their children on their faith journey.

Adding to the joy of the occasion, Fr Bosco awarded prizes to the winners of the Rangoli competition, which was held on February 1, 2025 on religious themes.

As the recessional hymn concluded, the communicants came forward once again to perform an action song titled "Eucharist," choreographed by Sister Niranjana of the Holy Angels Convent, CCR. Their graceful presentation was met with warm applause 

All the children were given snacks, certificates, and a small memento as a token of remembrance.

Mrs Angela D'Souza shared her thoughts saying, the celebration was sacred and heartwarming. The children's devotion and preparation were evident, making it a cherished moment in their faith journey.

Mr Peter Fernandes said,  “it was a solemn and meaningful celebration that reminded ua of the Eucharist’s importance. The children were well-prepared, and it was a moment of joy for the parish.”

The celebration ended with a memorable group photograph of the communicants with the priests, capturing a cherished milestone in their faith journey.

The First Holy Communion was truly a grace-filled event, leaving behind a mark on the hearts of the children, their families, and the entire parish community.