Children learn so much from watching their parents. Without even realizing it, we are all teaching our children about the Real Presence with the gestures we show the Eucharist. Attending any part of the National Eucharistic Revival or Pilgrimage certainly qualifies as a loving gesture, but small, everyday actions also show great love. So I wanted to explore five smaller gestures, any of which could be done this week, that teach children about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Stop by An Adoration Chapel 

Bringing your children into an adoration chapel for a brief “Hello!” is a great way to show them what you believe. You can show them how to genuflect on both knees and bow their foreheads all the way to the ground. You can tell them that we do this because we believe that Jesus is really here with us, in fact, He’s right there. This only takes a few minutes, and it’s a great way to introduce a child to the practice of Adoration. 

Say a Spiritual Communion in the Car

A friend of mine says a spiritual communion every time she passes a Catholic church while driving. This simple action really struck me the first time I heard her do it. The one she used went like this:

“My Jesus, 

I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 

I love You above all things, 

and I desire to receive You into my soul. 

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, 

come at least spiritually into my heart. 

I embrace You as if You were already there 

and unite myself wholly to You. 

Never permit me to be separated from You.”

It’s short enough to be memorized or taped to the dashboard. This is one of those practices that your children would benefit from without even joining in the prayer. The words “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament” echoing from the front of the car in conjunction with seeing a Catholic church out the window is a powerful lesson about the Real Presence. 

Tell a Eucharistic Miracle Story 

Blessed Carlo Acutis loved telling about the miracle of Lanciano, when the host turned into flesh as a doubting monk said the words of consecration. A note from Courtney Mares’s biography A Saint in Sneakers tells the following about Blessed Carlo: “Both Carlo’s Mother and his spiritual director testified that Carlo especially liked the Lanciano miracle. Carlo told his spiritual director that he brought up the miracle of Lanciano when he wanted to “persuade some people who did not attend Sunday Mass” that Jesus is present in the Eucharist.” (Courtney Mares, A Saint in Sneakers. Ignatius, 2023, 64). Eucharistic miracle stories are full of strange details and oddities—in short, they are perfect for children. Find a miracle story that captivates you and share it with your children. Blessed Carlo’s website is still live: http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/ and remains a treasure trove of great stories waiting to be retold. 

Find a Saint Quote about the Eucharist

Your child probably has a favorite Saint or two, and your family probably has several Saints who have become beloved friends and intercessors over the years. Each of these Saints loved Jesus deeply, and they spoke and wrote beautiful words about the Eucharist you can uncover with some quick research. Saint Teresa of Kolkata, or Mother Teresa, was known to say to her sisters, “Let the poor and the people eat you up” (Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C., Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light. Image, 2007, 285). The way that Mother saw it, Jesus had given Himself to them completely, so they could give of themselves to others completely—they could let others “eat them up.” Find quotes from Saints who you already know, but you can branch out to new ones, too! 

Share your story of the Eucharist 

It’s very likely that your child will hear the truth about the Eucharist from you first. A great place to start or continue this conversation by telling them about your own First Communion. Your family would love to know your story, and see any personal artifacts or pictures, of that day that you first received Jesus. What did you think was happening that day? Has anything about your belief changed over time? Share the memory, even if it’s not a very detailed one. Children love these kinds of “family stories,” and you’ll probably remember more as you start telling it. 

The collection of stories I wrote, Eucharistic Saints: Twenty Stories of Devotion to Jesus (tanbooks.com), gives families the chance to see some favorite Saints interacting with the Eucharist. It’s a great way to accompany the many ways you’re already teaching your kids  what we believe about the Eucharist. 

Photo by Erica Viana on Unsplash