If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.  St. Maximilian Kolbe

Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi.  A day that generally has processions, a day in which a doubting priest had his faith confirmed via a miracle.

Today is also the day Goose received his First Communion.  Fitting, I think.

Goose has been preparing to receive his First Communion on a “strict” basis this past school year, but really, he has been preparing for today since the moment he was born.  Each time the bells rang during the consecration, I would whisper, “there’s Jesus”.  He’d listen for those bells.  At first it was a way to keep him quiet and attentive.  Then more interest came.

We’ve read books about the Eucharist for the past few years.  From two picture books, The Weight of the Mass and The Caterpillar Who Came to Church, he began to have an understanding of what it means.  These two books are probably the best way to explain the meaning of the Eucharist to children.  Probably even adults.

We went old school and used the Baltimore Catechism this past year.  We read some biographies.  And we prayed.

As we have prepared this year, he has been so excited.  He went to Confession four times this past Spring.  And starting in mid-April, he began to say each Sunday that “today is going to be my First Communion.”

I used to wonder how a child could possibly understand the meaning of the Eucharist. The unfortunate reality is that many Catholics don’t get it.  As anyone around children knows, they don’t come with hang ups.  They often understand what we are too blind to see.

The innocence and desire of my sweet boy gives a new appreciation for the gift of the Eucharist.  As did teaching him his catechism for this.  As a wanna be homeschooler, there was no way I wouldn’t be his instructor for this important Sacrament.  We ended our “instruction” with a novena for his First Communion.  We prayed it together, our last prayer right before mass today.

And so today, I thank God.  I thank Him for the gift that is the Eucharist.  I thank Him for the gift of teaching my son about it.  I thank Him for allowing me a small window into a little boy’s heart as he practically begged to receive his First Communion the past two months.  I thank Him for the gift of Goose’s First Communion.  And most of all, I thank Him for the chance to witness the miracle of the Eucharist each time I attend mass.

And here’s the truth…I had prepared most of this post before today.  Nothing could have prepared me for what I felt today.  Goose was so excited to be sitting on the first pew at mass.  Baby Z actually stayed quiet the entire mass!  And the sweetest thing: midway through mass, Goose looked at Lance and told him “Dad, it’s almost time, I’m about five minutes closer to receiving my First Communion.”  He was nervous and ready to go at the same time.

And so after the consecration and before the Eucharistic Ministers received the Eucharist, Goose was called up front for his First Communion.  As he came back to the pew, I could have sworn there were tears in his eyes.  There were in Lance’s, that much I know for sure.

The excitement of a little boy can never be matched.

And so today, I am just happy for my boy.  Truly, truly happy.  The happiness and pure joy that he felt today makes a mom so content.  And the best  part is that he can always find the happiness he had today.  He just has to get to mass.