--- title: First Communion -- The Beginning of a Soul’s Journey description: As a teacher preparing students for this day, Judith Costello teaches her students that they are becoming tabernacles for Jesus. They will receive Jesus in a way unlike any other! --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/04/10/first-communion-the-beginning-of-a-souls-journey#) # First Communion -- The Beginning of a Soul’s Journey Apr 10, 2014 7:30:45 PM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) The children are wiggling their hands and feet. The girls giggle at the boys who are dressed in suits for the first time ever! People in the pews are craning their necks to see. The pageantry of First Communion is about to begin! This is a precious and meaningful time. Yet, it is only a beginning. It is like taking the first step up a ladder. Why would anyone stay there or step back down? [![God Sending Down His Love by Judith Costello](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/love-painting--550x385.jpg?width=550&height=385&name=love-painting--550x385.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/love-painting-.jpg) God Sending Down His Love by Judith Costello As a teacher preparing students for this day, I tell them they are becoming tabernacles for Jesus. They will receive Jesus in a way unlike any other. But Jesus doesn’t want to be ignored immediately after this special day. First Communion is just the beginning. Our understanding of the Eucharist and desire for it should grow over time. We are called to “know, love and serve Him.” It is a relationship that must be developed by constant attention. Jesus is always with us and we receive His grace in the sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation. We can hear His words in the Gospels and we can talk to Him in prayer. But there is nothing like receiving Him as the Bread of Life. There is nothing like becoming a tabernacle. Yet, too many families see First Communion as the beginning and the end of their obligation for faith formation. [![Judith's daughter Brigit, at her First Communion in 2008](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/almost-ready-to-go-178x400.jpg?width=178&height=400&name=almost-ready-to-go-178x400.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/almost-ready-to-go.jpg) Judith's daughter Brigit, at her First Communion in 2008 The young people, who are so excited on this day, and feel the glow of love for Jesus, are like delicate new buds pushing up out of the ground of the secular world. Their experience is fragile and tentative. It needs to be nourished by weekly reception of the sacrament of the Eucharist. When parents make a big deal out of First Communion, yet make excuses for not going to Mass on Sundays after that, they send a mixed message. The message seems to be that “only the first time is important. Then, if you receive Jesus again once a year, that’s enough.” The bud doesn’t open. The flower wilts in the time that lapses between receptions. Since the Eucharist is necessary for our souls, why would we want to deprive ourselves of this soul food? The longer we go without, the more the soul dries up. It is so important that our children see a love, respect and hunger for the Eucharist in their parents. Then their curiosity leads them to desire. And desire leads to deeper prayer and understanding. Tabernacle literally means “temporary dwelling place.” If we are to keep Jesus close to us, we need to invite Him into the tabernacle of our bodies on a weekly basis. And inviting Him into our tabernacle on a daily basis is even better. Then, the tabernacle will glow with His presence. And the flower of love and purity unfolds in His glorious presence! *Copyright 2014 Judith Costello* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F04%2F10%2Ffirst-communion-the-beginning-of-a-souls-journey%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F04%2F10%2Ffirst-communion-the-beginning-of-a-souls-journey%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F04%2F10%2Ffirst-communion-the-beginning-of-a-souls-journey%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=First%20Communion%20--%20The%20Beginning%20of%20a%20Soul%E2%80%99s%20Journey) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F04%2F10%2Ffirst-communion-the-beginning-of-a-souls-journey%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F04%2F10%2Ffirst-communion-the-beginning-of-a-souls-journey%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Profile%203.jpg) ### [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) We welcome guest contributors who graciously volunteer their writing for our readers. Please support our guest writers by visiting their sites, purchasing their work, and leaving comments to thank them for sharing their gifts here on CatholicMom.com. To inquire about serving as a guest contributor, contact editor@CatholicMom.com. ## Related Blog Articles [ Are You Ready for School? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/08/10/are-you-ready-for-school) [ A Prayer for The New School Year Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/08/22/a-prayer-for-the-new-school-year) [ Healing the Culture Wins Hearts With Powerful Pro-Life Content at Respect Life University Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/healing-the-culture-wins-hearts-with-powerful-pro-life-content-at-respect-life-university) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.