Embracing the Sacrament: A parent’s guide for First Holy Communion

On 11 November 2023, the Ateneo Grade School Parents Auxiliary Council (AGSPAC) hosted its first webinar for the school year entitled Embracing the Sacrament: A Parent’s Guide for First Holy Communion. The seminar was given by Reverend Father Victor de Jesus, SJ, Chaplain of the Ateneo de Manila Grade School.

Father Vic gave parents much-needed guidance, valuable insights, and spiritual support as they prepared their sons to receive Christ in Holy Communion. The seminar was very well received with over 700 attendees eager to ask questions and relate their own thoughts and experiences.

One common question that parents had was how to explain the Sacrament to young communicants. Father Vic told parents to talk about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, guided by the Eucharistic Miracles that He has performed. With that, Fr Vic advised parents to pray with their children daily, model reverence in the Holy Mass, and most importantly, look to their relationships at home. “Active love between parents is the best preparation for your son’s First Holy Communion… communication brings communion of mind and heart”.