First Communion
"The Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: 'Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.'" (CCC 1327)
We are very excited that you are interested in having you or your child receive the
sacrament of Holy Communion at Our Lady of Guadalupe!
On this page, you can find more information about what Holy Communion is and the process for your child to receive first Holy Communion at Our Lady of Guadalupe.
If you are an adult who would like to receive the first Holy Communion, please call the Parish Office at 562-691-0533 for more information.
What is First Holy Communion?
First Holy Communion, or first Eucharist, is a beautiful sacrament of initiation in which "Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism ... participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist" (CCC 1322).
First Communion is the first time that a Catholic receives the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith (CCC 1324). As Catholics, we believe that during the Mass the bread and wine truly become the body and blood of Christ, while still maintaining the appearances of bread and wine.
As such, it is important that those who consume the Eucharist have been initiated into the Church through Baptism and have received proper formation to understand the teachings of the Church.
First Holy Communion at OLG
First Holy Communion takes two years to complete at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Elementary students can start the process as early as six years old, as long as they are in first grade, or entering first grade.
If your child has not already been baptized, he or she will undergo a process called Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC).
For more information about OCIC and for information about first Holy Communion for those in high school, please call the Parish Office at (562) 691-0533.