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Hand-Selected Gift Ideas for First Holy Communion
Special occasions such as a young person's first Holy Communion can be quite tricky to pick suitable presents for. How can you be sure that what you choose is appropriate and will be appreciated by the person you're buying for? We asked a few young Catholics who were either about to receive their first Communion, or had recently done so, what they would like to receive to commemorate this very special occasion: here are some of the things they suggested
What is the significance of the First Holy Communion?
The First Communion, or First Holy Communion, is a Catholic Church ceremony. It is the colloquial name for a person's first reception of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Catholics believe this event to be very important, as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church. First Communion is not practised in most Eastern Catholic Churches, which practise Infant Communion. First Communion is also celebrated by some Anglicans and someProtestant denominations, particularly Lutherans. Celebration of this ceremony is typically less elaborate in Protestant churches that practice it. Roman Catholics and some protestant denominations, including Lutherans, believe Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, though they nuance this concept differently. Other denominations have varying understandings, ranging from the Eucharist being a "symbolic" meal to a meal of "remembering" Christ's last supper. First Communion in Roman Catholic churches typically takes place at age seven or eight, depending on the country. Roman Catholic adults who have not received their First Communion can go through a separate program called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA to receive this sacrament.
