As a sacrament of Christian initiation, the Eucharist stands at the heart of the Christian community’s celebration of the Paschal Mystery whereby the Church is constituted and bound in unity and charity. This communion of love dissolves boundaries and seals one’s baptismal dignity within the divine life of the Holy Trinity.

Children receiving Baptism in infancy and nurtured within the domestic Church continue their sacramental journey, when at the age of discretion they are led to the table of Eucharistic communion. Preparation for participation in this central mystery of our life in Christ is the “responsibility of the entire Christian community” (GDC 91).

The parish immediate period of sacramental formation is freestanding from the Catholic school, homeschooling and the parish religious education program and is therefore stands apart from any specific grade designation. Ordinarily, the use of reason occurs around the age of 7 years or grade two.

For more information regarding the preparation for participating at the Eucharistic table please contact Ms. Carol A. Augustine at Caugustine@archbalt.org