How to Explain the Eucharist to a Younger Child
Receiving the Eucharist is one of the seven holy sacraments, according to Catholic beliefs. Children start to receive the sacrament after their first communion and once they understand what participating in communion means. Children can learn about the Eucharist from family, friends, the priest and members of the church. Children are encouraged to ask questions about receiving the body and blood of Christ.
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Instructions
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Tell the story of the Last Supper to your child. It can be read as a bedtime story or told as a part of family story time on Sundays. Locate a children's bible and show the child pictures of the Last Supper. The pictures will help to explain why the Last Supper is so important to Christians.
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Go to mass and sit with the child as close to the front as possible so that she can see what the priest is doing. Whisper to the child and explain that the priest is doing the same thing that Jesus did when he ate with the disciples.
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Allow the child to ask questions after mass and answer the questions as honestly as possible. Remind the child that the Eucharist is a Holy Sacrament and that the grace of God comes to those who receive communion.
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Ask the child to repeat the story of the Last Supper and to tell you in his own words why the Last Supper is important. This helps you to know that the child has retained the story and whether the child is ready to participate in the Catholic Eucharist celebration.
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Practice walking down the aisle with the child and show how she should hold her hands together as if praying while walking. Remind the child that this is a time when people are quiet and praying to God.
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Tips & Warnings
Children who are younger than the age of seven or eight can participate in going up to communion with their parents. The child will not get communion, but he will get blessed by the priest each week that he participates.
References
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