This weekend, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish of St. Joseph the Betrothed in Chicago hosted a big celebration for the entire parish family — 1st Holy Confession and 1st Solemn Holy Communion for children.
This year, 105 children went to their first Confession and solemnly received Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
In the tradition of the Eastern Church, a child receives the Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist at the time of Baptism. That is why the 1st Solemn Communion has a special significance — it is the moment when children consciously, after catechization and preparation, begin to understand more deeply the beauty and meaning of the Holy Sacraments that have been given to them from the beginning of their life in Christ.
Throughout the year, the children attended catechism every Sunday, learned prayers, learned the truths of faith, became acquainted with the basics of Christian life, and prepared for their first Holy Confession. For many of them, this was their first experience of a deeper, conscious experience of their faith and the presence of God in their lives.
The parish priest paid special attention to the children — fr. Mykola Buryadnyk, who tried to make this holiday a bright and unforgettable day of encounter with Christ and the living experience of the Church for every child.
We sincerely thank Father Andriy Delisandra and Father Bohdan Nalysnyk, who throughout the year spiritually accompanied the children, taught them, and helped them take their first conscious steps in faith.
We also express our gratitude to the sisterhood, the parish office staff, and everyone who took care of the organizational and administrative matters related to preparing the children for this big day. It was thanks to the joint work of many people that this holiday became so solemn and joyful for the children and their families.
The 1st Solemn Holy Communion is not just a good tradition or a family celebration. It is a memory that remains in the child's heart for a lifetime. And each such encounter with the Church can become the seed of faith that will someday bear good fruit.
Because the greatest hope today is for children to return to the temple not only on the day of the holiday, but throughout their lives. So that amidst the noise of the world, they remember that they are always waited for in the house of God.
May the Lord bless all the children who have made their 1st Holy Confession and 1st Solemn Holy Communion this year, and guide them on the path of faith throughout their lives.
