A Letter to my Son on his First Communion

Janelle Peregoy offers advice to her young son as he anticipates receiving Jesus in the Eucharist for the very first time.

Dear Nicholas, 

You get to receive Jesus’ Body and Blood for the first time today. Wahoo! 

Be With Jesus 

Here’s the good news of today (and everyday), Jesus loves us so-so-so-so much! I know you already know this, but I want you to feel it in every part of your body, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. 

Close your eyes for a moment. Picture Jesus with you. He gives you the biggest hug and you feel the strength of his arms around your back. Your whole body feels warmer because of his touch. He kisses the top of your head and playfully musses your hair. 

Jesus is always with you. He will always care for you. 

Open your eyes. Remind yourself that you can always take time to be with Jesus. 

Look to the Saints 

It has been two thousand years since Jesus walked among us humans. Much of the time, we humans still don’t get it. We can be selfish. We choose ourselves over the neighbors who are in need. We often listen to voices of others who do not want the best for us. Basically, we still sin. 

Thankfully, the Church has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we do.  

Another gift for those of us following Jesus is that we have the histories of the saints. Blessed Mary, Jesus’ own mother, is particularly good at getting her son’s attention. Ask her to pray for you. Saint Peter also personally knew Jesus and recognized him as the Messiah. Saint Paul devoted his life to evangelizing to anyone receptive to Jesus’ message. Over a thousand years later, Saint Francis of Assisi taught us of the power of simplicity in loving Jesus. In my lifetime, Saint Teresa of Calcutta saw Jesus within everyone she encountered.  

These saints and countless others show us through their examples how to love Jesus back. Look to the saints and learn from them, especially when you feel confused or scared. 

Better yet, look to Jesus! 

Jesus gave us his own witness on how to love God and each other. 

Pray. Jesus prayed, sometimes for hours and days on end. He knew His relationship with God was rooted in prayer. 

Be a good friend. Jesus spent time with those He loved and cultivated deep and abiding friendships throughout His life and his ministry. 

Be a good son. Jesus loved His mom, duh! 

Be an advocate for the vulnerable. Jesus spent time with the poor, with those considered sinners and outcasts. Those were His people. They understood how to soak up His love. 

Be skeptical of power and money. One of the few times the Gospels depict Jesus getting mad was when He overturned the tables of the moneychangers outside the Temple. 

Be willing to make sacrifices. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the Cross for us. Often, doing what is hard or challenging is what God asks of us. 

Be a spirit-of-the-law kind of guy. Rules are important and have their place. Jesus knew this but Ge was also willing to break unjust rules if someone needed Gim. This is why Ge cured the suffering man on the Sabbath. 

Be the person who trusts in God. Jesus was scared the night He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He still trusted in God’s plan for Him. God’s ultimate plan was Resurrection and redemption for all of us.  

Today on your First Communion, I pray that you know how much you are loved by Jesus.  

I pray that you always look to Jesus’ example for how to live your own life. 

I pray that Jesus blesses you. 

With love, 

Mommy 

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Copyright 2025 Janelle Peregoy
Images: copyright 2025 Janelle Peregoy, all rights reserved.