For converts, regarding the eucharist

[loozcannon]

Greetings all! I don’t start many forums, but I do tend to follow the whole “no such thing as a stupid question” bit so I thought I’d ask. Mods, I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong spot, feel free to move it if it is.

Okay, now to my point. I’m presently in RCIA and am on track to be confirmed this Easter. I’ve come to realize that I do truly believe what the Church teaches about the Eucharist and I look forward to it every Sunday at mass. Even though I cannot receive, I still go up with my arms crossed and get a blessing.

I finally admitted to my instructors and the class that I really yearn for the Eucharist. I absolutely cannot wait to be able to receive it!

Maybe I’m hyping myself up, but I’m hoping (maybe half expecting?) some sort of big “EUREKA!” moment when I can finally consume the body of our Lord, and unite myself to His presence.

Am I expecting too much? Converts, once you understood, did you have some sort of moment at your first Eucharist?

Thank you all again!

Pax.

 

[Memaw]

Greetings all! I don’t start many forums, but I do tend to follow the whole “no such thing as a stupid question” bit so I thought I’d ask. Mods, I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong spot, feel free to move it if it is.

Okay, now to my point. I’m presently in RCIA and am on track to be confirmed this Easter. I’ve come to realize that I do truly believe what the Church teaches about the Eucharist and I look forward to it every Sunday at mass. Even though I cannot receive, I still go up with my arms crossed and get a blessing.

I finally admitted to my instructors and the class that I really yearn for the Eucharist. I absolutely cannot wait to be able to receive it!

Maybe I’m hyping myself up, but I’m hoping (maybe half expecting?) some sort of big “EUREKA!” moment when I can finally consume the body of our Lord, and unite myself to His presence.

Am I expecting too much? Converts, once you understood, did you have some sort of moment at your first Eucharist?

Thank you all again!

Pax./QUOTE,

Some do and some don’t, but that doesn’t change the fact that you will be receiving the Lord; Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Emotions come and go depending on our moods so I wouldn’t count on them to much. It seems I have more emotion when I am really troubled and deeply feel the need for Our Lord more. We all love consolations, when they come to us but hang in there when they don’t, God loves you and is actually drawing you closer to Him during the “dry” spells.You are in my prayers, God Bless, Memaw

 

[JRKH]

Eureka moment?? No can’t say I did…More of a feeling of peace…deep profound peace…

Peace
James

 

[Marie5890]

Eureka moment?? No can’t say I did…More of a feeling of peace…deep profound peace…

Peace
James

This was my experience too.

God bless to the OP. May your RCIA journey be fruitful.

 

[twopekinguys]

For me personally, it was an overwhelming calm and peace.

As the director of RCIA, I have seen everything. Laughter, tears, half way fainting, and everything in between.

The Lord meets us where we are, and speaks to each of us in accordance with our needs.

I hope, and pray that when you experience the Eucharist for the very first time that it is something you can’t put into words.

Welcome home!!

 

[pismopal]

My “moment” was entering the Church and having access to all the sacraments…both Holy Communion and Sacrament of Reconcilliation were emotional experiences. Confronting my shortcomings in a frontal, positive way was very different front anything outside the Church. Good luck and God bless.

 

[po18guy]

I entered the Church in 1987. Just this year, I received one morning and experienced a sudden flash of revelation regarding the hypostatic union of Christ’s divinity and humanity. I cannot put it into words, but it occurred after 25 years of receiving. I had received the same spiritual benefit with each prior reception, but this one just had a little extra with it. As James and twopekinguys mentioned, it is often just a profound peace, and in my case, a sense of deep gratitude.

 

[maltmom]

Peace, humility, joy, awe…so many thoughts and feelings at once. Not everyone has that experience. If when the time comes and you don’t, please don’t think something is wrong. Everyone’s experience is different.

Now the thoughts and feelings are sometimes stronger and sometimes I just have a feeling of peace.

Welcome Home!

 

[onceablasphemer]

It’s an experience you won’t forget. I felt like a fire started in my soul. I can still smell the chrism oil from my confirmation when I think about it. The fact that Easter fell on my birthday the year I came into the church (2011) for the first and only time in my life(unless I live to be 109!), made it the best birthday I will ever have.

 

[MSSheBear]

I would like to bring up my Easter Vigil experience. There we were all in line: One of us gagged on the Host, two of us almost forgot to consume it. I found the Host not very tasty. I didn’t have any great experience that evening. I am sorry if I have offended anyone but I have heard of children spitting out their First Communion. Please remember Who we are receiving!:bighanky:

Subsequently after a couple of weeks I noticed that the extremes of my bad moods disappeared and that I developed more patience in certain circumstances. At least once my bad attitude changed immediately after receiving Communion.

 

[domandcarols]

I would like to bring up my Easter Vigil experience. There we were all in line: One of us gagged on the Host, two of us almost forgot to consume it. I found the Host not very tasty. I didn’t have any great experience that evening. I am sorry if I have offended anyone but I have heard of children spitting out their First Communion. Please remember Who we are receiving!:bighanky:

Subsequently after a couple of weeks I noticed that the extremes of my bad moods disappeared and that I developed more patience in certain circumstances. At least once my bad attitude changed immediately after receiving Communion.

When I received on my First Holy Communion I tilted my head wayy too far back and the priest placed the Host slightly too far back on my tongue and I got scared for a second there… I was terrified I was going to choke up Our Blessed Lord. Scariest moment of my life…

 

[Elisabeth51]

Greetings all! I don’t start many forums, but I do tend to follow the whole “no such thing as a stupid question” bit so I thought I’d ask. Mods, I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong spot, feel free to move it if it is.

Okay, now to my point. I’m presently in RCIA and am on track to be confirmed this Easter. I’ve come to realize that I do truly believe what the Church teaches about the Eucharist and I look forward to it every Sunday at mass. Even though I cannot receive, I still go up with my arms crossed and get a blessing.

I finally admitted to my instructors and the class that I really yearn for the Eucharist. I absolutely cannot wait to be able to receive it!

Maybe I’m hyping myself up, but I’m hoping (maybe half expecting?) some sort of big “EUREKA!” moment when I can finally consume the body of our Lord, and unite myself to His presence.

Am I expecting too much? Converts, once you understood, did you have some sort of moment at your first Eucharist?

Thank you all again!

Pax.

Even as a Protestant I believed that Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ, and received it as such despite being surrounded by “grape juice and crackers/symbols” people. That being said, I did feel a difference in a Catholic Church—when I first went to one I just knew it was different—I could FEEL God’s presence in a way that I had not felt before, although I believed then and now He is everywhere. There were only two men in my old church that believed that way, my dad and a retired minister. When I received Communion from there hand, it seemed different from when another elder gave me communion—and I quickly got to a point where I only received from my father when he was serving because I knew he had the same reverence for the Body & Blood of Christ and it seemed wrong to take from someone else.

My First Communion in the Catholic Church…honestly, it did not feel different from the times I had been given communion by my father. Because of our belief perhaps? I don’t know, it was definitely a coming home though, I knew when I came to the Catholic Church I was home, I was really in God’s Presence.

 

[Actaeon]

Greetings all! I don’t start many forums, but I do tend to follow the whole “no such thing as a stupid question” bit so I thought I’d ask. Mods, I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong spot, feel free to move it if it is.

Okay, now to my point. I’m presently in RCIA and am on track to be confirmed this Easter. I’ve come to realize that I do truly believe what the Church teaches about the Eucharist and I look forward to it every Sunday at mass. Even though I cannot receive, I still go up with my arms crossed and get a blessing.

I finally admitted to my instructors and the class that I really yearn for the Eucharist. I absolutely cannot wait to be able to receive it!

Maybe I’m hyping myself up, but I’m hoping (maybe half expecting?) some sort of big “EUREKA!” moment when I can finally consume the body of our Lord, and unite myself to His presence.

Am I expecting too much? Converts, once you understood, did you have some sort of moment at your first Eucharist?

Thank you all again!

Pax.

Don’t get yourself overly excited! We are not a faith that is dependent on emotional rushes as our only means of reaching God. I’ve found that at times I’m given to a highly experiential reception of communion, but most often my encounter with Christ is less like a raging bull and more like leaves floating on the wind… and that in it’s way is its own sublime experience.

Whatever your experience you can be sure of this: that in the Eucharist, God may ignore what we want, but He gives us what we need, whether the quiet whisper of grace or the rush of passionate faith.

 

[loozcannon]

For me personally, it was an overwhelming calm and peace.

As the director of RCIA, I have seen everything. Laughter, tears, half way fainting, and everything in between.

The Lord meets us where we are, and speaks to each of us in accordance with our needs.

I hope, and pray that when you experience the Eucharist for the very first time that it is something you can’t put into words.

Welcome home!!

Right, and that’s what I mean. I suppose I should have asked for a consensus of thoughts on everyone’s first communion.

God in His love is perfect and what you said makes sense. Maybe “EUREKA” was a poor choice of words.

 

[loozcannon]

My “moment” was entering the Church and having access to all the sacraments…both Holy Communion and Sacrament of Reconcilliation were emotional experiences. Confronting my shortcomings in a frontal, positive way was very different front anything outside the Church. Good luck and God bless.

I 100% agree with you! I’ve been able to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for quite some time now. Very grateful for it. I’ve often said during class as we learn about the Sacraments that it seems being a Catholic is borderline too easy! Meaning, we have a system in place and all it takes is faith and obedience. Perhaps I’m over simplifying.

Makes sense to me though. If our Lord wants us to join Him in Heaven, why would he not leave a means in place after His ascension?

 

[loozcannon]

Peace, humility, joy, awe…so many thoughts and feelings at once. Not everyone has that experience. If when the time comes and you don’t, please don’t think something is wrong. Everyone’s experience is different.

Now the thoughts and feelings are sometimes stronger and sometimes I just have a feeling of peace.

Welcome Home!

Right. I suspect it will be more like a flooding of peace and calmness, with a dash of awe.

And I have learned about “dry seasons” and that faith is more than just feeling good and gushy feelings. We have to work out our salvation after all!

 

[loozcannon]

This was my experience too.

God bless to the OP. May your RCIA journey be fruitful.

Thank you! I’m already seeing changes in my thoughts, actions and prayers. Basically my whole outlook is changing.

And may God bless you to!

 

[loozcannon]

I entered the Church in 1987. Just this year, I received one morning and experienced a sudden flash of revelation regarding the hypostatic union of Christ’s divinity and humanity. I cannot put it into words, but it occurred after 25 years of receiving. I had received the same spiritual benefit with each prior reception, but this one just had a little extra with it. As James and twopekinguys mentioned, it is often just a profound peace, and in my case, a sense of deep gratitude.

I’ve heard of people that have had those experiences at their Eucharist. Also while saying a Rosary.

Make no mistake, I’m in this for the long haul, so if it takes 25 years, so be it! All in God’s time of course.

 

[loozcannon]

When I received on my First Holy Communion I tilted my head wayy too far back and the priest placed the Host slightly too far back on my tongue and I got scared for a second there… I was terrified I was going to choke up Our Blessed Lord. Scariest moment of my life…

That would be my luck! LOL I’m sure the priest has seen everything.

 

[TrueLight]

I know how you feel. I felt the same way last year - so much so, that I created this thread.

Not Being Able to Receive Communion is Killing Me

I hope this thread is encouraging to you.

During my First Communion Mass, I cried all throughout the Mass and at the communion rail too. Like you I had really been yearning as well. However, I had not expected to bawl throughout the Mass as I don’t like to cry at all and strive to avoid THAT at all costs.

So that was my experience.

Just a word of caution, do not go into it expecting to receive some great experience, outside of gratitude for the Lord bringing you to his Church and allowing you to partake of his body and blood. Everyone is different and experience things differently.

I am sure you will at least experience extreme gratitude.