Developing Spirituality Among Children, Part 1: Eucharist

Periods of sitting in the sun result in a change of skin color. Periods of sitting with-the-Son result in a change in attitude! In the sacred, consecrated host Jesus Christ — his body, blood, soul, and divinity — awaits to tutor our hearts, to feed our hungers, and to nurture our souls. Eucharist is Jesus’ gift of himself to us. He told his apostles, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in your midst” (Matthew 18:20). He promised, “I am with you at all times…” (Matthew 28:20). And so he is — spiritually. But in the Eucharist, he places even his physical presence at our disposal. He, whom all the world cannot contain, chooses to come to us in the form of bread and wine. He offers himself to us knowing that we might reject him.

For Catholic Christians, Eucharist is not merely a symbol of Christ given at the Last Supper. Eucharist is Jesus who said, “Take, this is my Body…. This is my Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:22–24), and “I am the bread of life…he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day…” (John 6:48–54). Eucharist is more than sign and symbol. It is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. When we approach Eucharist with attention, reverence and devotion, we become what we eat (cf. Saint Augustine [354–430],Sermon 228B 3)! Little by little we come to think as Jesus thinks, to love as Jesus loves, and to serve as Jesus serves.

An old Protestant hymn celebrated, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!” Indeed, we do! Jesus offers himself to us without condition. The choice to enter into a mutual friendship is ours. We can cultivate devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in many ways. This article highlights several eucharistic practices.

Catholics call the Eucharist “the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the Sacrament of sacraments,” explains the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1330). Consecrated hosts are reserved in the tabernacle and a burning sanctuary lamp signals the Real Presence of Christ. Sometimes a large consecrated host, contained in a glass case called a luna, is visible in a Monstrance and set on the altar for all to see. Prayer on these occasions is called adoration. Some parishes arrange to have the monstrance always on display. This practice is called Perpetual Adoration.

Forty Hours’ Devotion
Every year a parish sets aside forty hours for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Make it a family custom to participate in the parish devotion or to visit the Blessed Sacrament as a family. Parents will benefit from Visits to the Blessed Sacrament (tinyurl.com/Invazr), written by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696–1787). A helpful guide for children exists in Helana Lehto’s book, My Visit with Jesus (myvisitwithjesus.com).

Visits To The Blessed Sacrament (Eucharistic Adoration)
Model the custom of making brief visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Teach children various ways to pray. For instance,
—Within your soul sing a favorite hymn and then talk with Jesus about it
—Write a letter to Jesus
—Divide the prayer period into four sections for acts: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Seek.

• Adore: Express admiration for God’s greatness. What about God do you want to praise, honor, worship, revere, admire, commend, value, esteem, or glorify?



• Confess: Admit sorrow for your sins, faults, and failings. What life-blocking choices do you acknowledge, admit, regret, or want to disclose to Jesus?



• Thank: Speak gratitude for the graces and gifts in your life. What kindnesses or favors do you recognize and appreciate?



• Seek: Trust your needs and questions to God. What graces or helps do you desire? What problems worry you? Ask, search, beg, and petition Jesus to guide you.


Spiritual Communion
Saint Alphonsus Liguori taught the practice of praying a spiritual communion throughout the day. Pray it often.
My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world and I hunger to be nourished by You. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, come into my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to you now as I do when I actually receive you. Never let me drift away from you.

Consecration During Mass
Prepare in advance to name the persons, events, joys, and sorrows of the past week and the hopes, fears, and desires of the week ahead. Then, when the priest lifts the paten with the unconsecrated host on it, imagine placing the last week on it. And when the priest lifts the chalice with unconsecrated wine, place the coming week into it. Offer your sacrifice to God. God will transform the sacrifice and use it to shape you more into the image of Jesus.

Thanksgiving After Holy Communion
Take advantage of the intimate minutes when Jesus’ physical presence is within your body. If the congregation is singing a hymn, make the lyrics your conversation with Jesus. When silence returns, personalize the messages that the song contains. Spend private conversation time with Jesus before leaving the church. Consider creating a personal act of consecration or a love message that you speak to Jesus each time that you receive the consecrated host. Though all is grace, assume personal responsibility keeping your friendship alive.



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Dr. Pat McCormack, IHM, is an international consultant and public speaker on issues of whole-person formation. She can be contacted at the IHM Office of Formative Support for Parents and Teachers (www.ParentTeacherSupport.org).