The Eucharist: God’s Greatest Gift
New Catholics speak of the power of receiving their first Eucharist
By Natalie Hoefer
Each year since I started working as a reporter for The Criterion in 2013, I’ve been blessed with telling the stories of individuals throughout central and southern Indiana who have been received into the full communion of the Church, primarily during a parish Easter Vigil Mass.
One of the most touching moments for me as I interview these new Catholics is the awe and love they express for Christ in the Eucharist.
Many share the anticipation and eagerness they felt receiving their first Communion. Some shed tears at the memory of the moment. Others struggle to find words that adequately convey the experience.
Here are quotes from new Catholics who shared the impact of their first Communion and what Christ’s true presence had come to mean to them after a lifetime without the Eucharist.
“A lot of people don’t understand the huge pull and desire to have the Eucharist. … You have no idea how happy I am, how excited I am to be receiving the Eucharist. The sacraments, to me, are very dear.”
—James Foutz, St. John the Apostle Parish in Bloomington, 2014
“It was really emotional. After Communion, I sat in the pew and I felt something. I just started crying. It’s hard for me to cry, but it happened. I felt that power.”
—Gilles Noumsi, St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis, 2015
“My first holy Communion was beautiful. I came back to my pew, and all I could say over and over was, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’ ”
—Daniel Tews, Annunciation Parish in Brazil, 2016
“I like the feeling of God being present [in the Eucharist], that I’m actually worshipping the living God.”
—Cassandra Guerra, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Fortville, 2019
“You’re taking in the body of Christ—it’s not a symbol. You’re literally ingesting Christ into your soul and body to be one of his disciples.”
—Brian Hall, St. Lawrence Parish
in Indianapolis, 2021
“After Communion, I just felt happiness.”
—Judy Townsend, St. Gabriel Parish in Connersville, 2021
“Not being able to take Communion every day was the worst! I wanted that so bad, especially after understanding what it meant. [Upon receiving Communion at the Easter Vigil Mass,] I’m crying. And Father says, ‘Adam, the body of Christ.’ I said, ‘Finally! Amen!’ ”
—Adam Scott, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, 2022
“[Receiving the Eucharist] was amazing—the sanctity of that and understanding that every little, tiny morsel is God and Jesus. To realize that is very profound. If you think about it, if you pray about it, if you’re really earnest about it, it can be life changing. You can feel whole again, transformed.”
—Gayle Blackburn, St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, 2022
“[Receiving the Eucharist] was like receiving my first kiss from my beloved. It was grace on grace.”
—Gayle Griffiths, All Saints Parish in Dearborn County, 2022
“[Receiving the Eucharist] was the most beautiful thing. I actually felt it heal my soul. I felt I was in my deepest bond with the Lord, and I felt my soul being healed.”
—Olivia Smith, St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington, 2023
“It was joyful, it was amazing—I was overwhelmed with emotions. I was so happy—I couldn’t believe how happy I was! I went back to the pew and just started crying. I’ve never cried when I was happy before, but I couldn’t stop.”
—Aubrey Bihl, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond, 2024
“[Receiving Communion] was everything I’d been waiting for. To think—Jesus’ body and blood. There is something so beautiful and intimate about it.”
—Jessica McClain, SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish, Greenwood, 2024