An inspired custom in rural Galicia reveals a beautiful truth at the heart of the Ascension.
In a parish in the region of Galicia, Spain, there is a special tradition that ties together two important events in the life of the Church: the Feast of the Ascension and First Holy Communions. Each year, the children of the parish receive their First Communion on Ascension Sunday, a meaningful choice that highlights the deep faith of this community.
The Ascension marks the moment when Jesus returned to Heaven, but it is also a powerful reminder that He did not leave us alone. Before He ascended, Jesus promised to remain with us always. For Catholics, one of the most real and intimate ways He keeps that promise is through the Eucharist.
By receiving their First Communion on this feast day, the children are not only celebrating an important milestone in their faith journey, they are also living out the truth that Jesus is still present among us. Through the consecrated Host, He remains with the faithful — not just in spirit, but in a real and tangible way.
This tradition offers a beautiful witness to the entire parish. Seeing young children receive Jesus for the first time on the day of His Ascension is a reminder that the story of Christ continues in all of those who follow Him. He may have returned to his heavenly Father, but He has not left His people behind.
In a world where it’s easy to feel distant from God, this Galician parish offers a simple but powerful message: Jesus is still present on earth. And in the Eucharist, He gives Himself completely — especially to the youngest among us, who meet Him at the altar for the very first time.
