First Holy Communion

People were bringing little children to him, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus was annoyed and said to them: 'Let the little children come to me and do not stop them.' Then he put his arms around them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.

(Adapted from Mk: 13-16)

The First Communion (First Holy Communion) is a Roman Catholic ceremony.

It is the colloquial name for a person's first celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Catholics believe this event to be very important, as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church.

SACRAMENTS

First Holy Communion is most often celebrated by children around the age of seven or eight, when they have reached the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. First Holy Communion is to be preceded by the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation.

According to the decree released by Pope Pius X in 1910, entitled "Quam Singulari", the sacrament of penance must be received before First Communion. The Code of Canon Law c.914 states:

"It is the responsibility...of parents...as well as of the pastor to see that children who have reached

the use of reason are correctly prepared and are nourished by the divine food as early as possible, preceded by sacramental confession; it is also for the pastor to be vigilant lest any children come to the Holy Banquet who have not reached the use of reason".

PREPARING FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

The best preparation for the Eucharist is taking your child to Mass regularly and helping your child understand what it is all about.

In First Holy Communion the children will prepare to meet the Lord in this very special sacrament.

The First Holy Communion ritual celebrates the Catholic child’s second step toward full initiation into the Church. After preparing through study in catechism classes, the Catholic child is ready to receive Communion for the first time, which is a wafer of bread that represents the body of Jesus Christ (in reference to the Last Supper). The Communion wafer is also known as the Eucharist.

At your child's Baptisms you, the parents, were told that you ' would be the first and best teachers of your children in the way of faith'.

Your involvement in the preparation of your children for First Holy Communion is paramount. The parish 'helps', but does not replace your part in the process of leading your children in the development of their faith, through the development and example of your own.

The Eucharist is the greatest gift that Jesus gave to us - the gift of himself. The Eucharist is a gift that takes a whole lifetime to open; it is a gift that requires a response from us. That is why it is so special and why we must take such care that our children are well-prepared.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

First Holy Communion preparation programmes vary from Dioceses, parishes and schools, most preparations programmes are approx 6 - 12 months.

For Children who will be preparing to receive the Sacrament of Penance and First Holy Communion, many programs feature beautifully illustrated Scripture stories to help introduce the children to the Eucharist in the context of the Mass, and will motivate them to build a firm foundation for their initiation into these two sacraments.

First Holy Communion is normally received at the age of seven or eight.

To be eligible to receive First Holy Communion, children will need to register for parish programme , if the church is a different church in which the child was baptised, you will need to provide a copy of birth and baptism certificate.

To share in Communion for the first time children must have “sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so as to understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity” (Code of Canon Law 913).

They must also be able to receive communion “with faith and devotion” (Code of Canon Law 913).

Children should understand the mystery of Christ “according to their capacity.” They should come to the table with a spiritual disposition.

“Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1457).

Children and their parents are expected to attend Mass frequently (weekly).

Children are expected to attend all preparation classes and complete all course work.

YOUR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Pope John Paul II Speaks to Children

“ Dear friends, there is no doubt that an unforgettable meeting with Jesus is First Holy Communion, a day to be remembered as one of life’s most beautiful.”

“The Eucharist, instituted by Christ as the Last Supper on the night before his passion, is a sacrament of the new covenant, the greatest of the sacraments. In this sacrament, the Lord becomes food for the soul under the appearance of bread and wine.”

“Children receive this sacrament solemnly a first time and are encouraged to receive it afterwards as often as possible in order to remain in close friendship with Jesus.

“To be able to receive Holy Communion, as you know, it is necessary to have received baptism. This is the first of sacraments and one most necessary for salvation. Baptism is a great event! In the church’s first centuries, when baptism was received mostly by grownups, the ceremony ended with receiving the Eucharist, and was solemn as First Holy Communion is today. Later on, when baptism began to be given mainly to newborn babies, and this is the case of many of you, dear children, so that you do not remember the day of your baptism, the more solemn celebration was transferred to the moment of First Holy Communion.

“Every boy and girl belonging to a Catholic family knows all about this custom. First Holy Communion is a great family celebration. On that day, together with the one who is making his or her First Holy Communion, the parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, godparents and sometimes also the catechists, and teachers generally receive the Eucharist.

“The day of First holy Communion is also a great day of celebration in the parish. I remember as though it was yesterday when together with the other boys and girls of my own age, I received the Eucharist for the first time in the parish church of my town.

“For how many children in history of the church has the Eucharist been a source of spiritual strength, sometimes even heroic strength? How can we fail to be reminded, for example of holy boys and girls who lived in first centuries and are still known and venerated? St. Agnes, who lived in Rome; St. Agatha, who was martyred in Sicily; St. Tarcisius, a boy who is rightly called the ‘ the martyr of the Eucharist,’ because he preferred to die rather than give up Jesus, who he was carrying under the appearance of bread”

TRADITIONS

First Holy Communion is traditionally a festive occasion for Catholic families.

Traditions surrounding First Holy Communion usually include large family gatherings and First Holy Communion party to celebrate the child's First Holy Communion.

Those who receive this sacrament usually wear new dress clothes to the ceremony that reflect the true significance of this holy event. White dresses and white rosettes worn for First Holy Communion are reminders of the white Baptismal robes - reminders of the clothes worn when when we first entered the Catholic faith.

Boys typically wear a dark First Holy Communion suit with a white shirt and a First Holy Communion tie, or sometimes a white First Holy Communion suit.

Girls, especially, wear white First Holy Communion dresses and often a First Holy Communion veil attached to a headdress, as well as white Holy Communion gloves. The veil symbolises the tablecloth used at the Last Supper and the dress the robes that Jesus wore.

First Holy Communion Gifts are usually given and often this will include gifts of a religious nature, such as First Holy Communion rosaries, First Holy Communion prayer books, First Holy Communion candle in addition to religious statues.

Many families will also take this opportunity to have formal, professional photographs taken, in addition to their own snapshots of the day.

Great day of celebration in the parish, as all children of the same age come together to receive the Eucharist for the first time.

Excerpted from Pope John Paul II's " Letter to Children" written in 1994 during the Year of the Family.

Daughters First Communion, Sons First Communion, Grandsons First Communion, Granddaughters First Communion, Godsons First Communion, Goddaughters First Communion, Nephews First Communion, Nieces First Communion, Brothers First Communion, Sisters First Communion or special boys First Communion or special girls First Communion.