Somewhere within the distant, rosy memories of my Catholic girlhood is the idea of a communion breakfast. Although I do not recall a specific event, I seem to remember that parishioners would occasionally meet for breakfast after Sunday Mass. I vaguely recall it being a function of the Altar Rosary Society, attended mostly by women. There might have been a speaker who addressed the group after the meal. Hearing an announcement at Mass about a communion breakfast filled my childish imagination with images of well-dressed ladies in fashionable hats enjoying tea and eggs and pastries around tables with white linen table cloths.
The Communion Breakfast
Until last month, I had only these vague notions of what a communion breakfast is. Now, after attending our parish Altar Rosary Society’s annual communion breakfast, I can give a more accurate report. I can also advocate for every parish to consider sponsoring a communion breakfast, and more often than once a year, if possible.
Tea, eggs, pastries, and a white linen table cloth were all present at the table where I sat at Immaculate Conception parish’s communion breakfast in May of this year. Women were probably in the majority at the breakfast. However, this year the Knights of Columbus co-sponsored the event, so a good number of men attended as well. Despite my early childhood assumptions, I saw no hats, either fashionable or otherwise.
There was a speaker who addressed the attendees and gave focus to what was already felt in the room. The food was delicious and plentiful. Conversation at the tables was light and pleasant. People welcomed old friends, new acquaintances, a woman in her nineties who was moving into a new home as well as a young teacher just finishing her first year in a tenured position. What was most attractive about the Immaculate Conception Altar Rosary communion breakfast was the spirit of community that blessed the gathering.
Blessed Michael McGivney and the Need for Fellowship
Speaking at the breakfast was Fr. John Devaney, a native of our parish. Fr. John was concluding seven years as a hospital chaplain in New York City, which included the entire COVID pandemic, and was moving on to college campus ministry. He spoke eloquently of the Knights of Columbus founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, with information from Fr. McGivney’s recently published biography, entitled Parish Priest. Observing the rise of secret societies in 19th century America, Fr. McGivney conceived the idea of a Catholic fraternal society. The Knights of Columbus was thus born, a social network for Catholic men, and a source of support for widows and orphans.
Among other anecdotes, we heard the inspiring account of Fr. McGivney’s work in prison ministry. Fr. McGivney was instrumental in the conversion of a young man who was on death row for the crime of murder. The priest offered a Mass in the prison days before the man’s execution, and the unfortunate man declared that he was at peace.
The account of Fr. McGivney’s work illustrates the importance of fellowship among believers. While Christians are tasked with evangelizing out in the world, we are strengthened for this work by our bonds with fellow parishioners, our closest neighbors in the kingdom of God.
The Eucharist and Unity
A gathering of communicants following the celebration of the Eucharist at Sunday Mass fosters this bond in a special way. Still carrying the precious Body of Christ within, we are uniquely open to the grace and charity of our Savior. In Lumen Gentium, the Vatican II Fathers write, “Really partaking of the body of the Lord in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread, we are taken up into communion with Him and with one another” (LG 7). To socialize at this moment with our brothers and sisters in Christ strengthens and extends this communion.
The communion breakfast, then, is a celebration of the effects of the Holy Communion that we share at Mass. It bears witness to our unity with Christ and with one another, the source of which is the Eucharist. We go forth from Mass to serve the Lord in the people we meet in every aspect of our lives. Similarly, we go out from the communion breakfast with an extra sense of belonging. It is an individual awareness that our joyful, dedicated community of believers is with us as we work to build up the kingdom of God on earth. United in prayer, we struggle and succeed, falter and flourish in the separate situations of our common journey.
Opportunity to Catechize about the Real Presence of Christ
I heartily recommend reviving the custom of the communion breakfast in all parishes. The practice is clearly in keeping with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Eucharistic Revival initiative. In what is called “Pillar Three” of the program, the bishops encourage “grassroots creativity,” in local parish activities (David Kilby). The communion breakfast is just such an activity. It can offer an occasion to catechize parishioners about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The breakfast celebrates the very communion of those who receive the Eucharist. It is one of many creative ways for parishes to foster solidarity in their local communities, both large and small.
“How To” for a Parish Communion Breakfast
For practical purposes, there is no specific format that the event must take. The location need not be an expensive restaurant. While our parish’s recent breakfast was at a country club, a nearby parish held theirs in the parish hall and charged just one dollar per person, with a maximum of five dollars per family. Those sponsoring the breakfast could call in a speaker with extensive experience in distant locations. On the other hand, the pastor or associate pastor, or a local religious brother or sister could share some reflection for the event. Depending on the needs of the parish, a communion breakfast can be an adults-only event or a family affair with children of all ages welcome. The goal is to have a sit-down meal, where people interact after Mass, with a reflection to provide some spiritual focus.
Blessed by the sacrifice of the Mass, and by the company of fellow parishioners and a home-grown priest who spoke well on a topic of substantial interest, my husband and I left the communion breakfast with full hearts as well as stomachs. In this time of spiritual battle, every means of strength and spiritual blessing is worth seeking. The parish communion breakfast can be such a means. May every parish give this a try, and feast with joy in the Lord.
7 thoughts on “Communion Breakfast, a Tradition Worth Reviving”
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The most obvious and unstated benefit of simple social events like this is that newcomers and other people that are not part of the parish cliques, finally have an opportunity to sit down next to someone and say “Hello, my name is Larry.” For singles to perhaps get a helpful nudge or pointer toward another single. For children to learn proper social behaviors.
We simply must revive the moribund social environment in our parishes, which died out starting in about the 1980’s. The survival of our Church is at stake.
Larry,
Yes, absolutely. Sitting down together binds us in friendship. I like your observation also that it gives children a chance to socialize properly, to see Church as more than something we are obliged to attend once a week.
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This lovely article reminded me of a memory my sister and I cherish to this day. We speak about it often. Our local church, in the 1960s, every Wednesday during lent had an early morning mass for teens and the Rosary Society women would provide breakfast for us before we went to school. It was fresh rolls and sugar doughnuts from our local bakery, hot chocolate and oj. Nothing has ever tasted so delicious.
Thanks for sharing that wonderful memory, Pauline. I can only imagine that the Rosary Society in your church did a lot more good than anyone could know.