First
Communion
What Do Children Need to Know?
Receiving
the Sacrament of the Eucharist (First Communion) is a privilege. Children preparing for this Sacrament deserve
the best. Cannon Law (the Law of the Church) stipulates, “It is primarily the duty of parents and
those who take the place of parents,
as well as the duty of pastors, to take
care that children who have reached
the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine
food [Communion] as soon as possible.”[1]
(CC 914) Often, parents and catechists ask what children need to know before they receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. This page intends to answer that questions. It provides a list of some practical things children need to know prior to receiving First Communion.
1. Basic Christian Prayers
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- The Sign of the Cross
- The
Our Father
- The Hail Mary
-
Glory to the Father…
- I Confess
- The Act of Contrition
- Hail Holy Queen
- The Apostolic and/or Nicene Creed
2. Doctrinal Teachings
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- The Ten Commandments
- The Seven Sacraments
- The Precepts of the Church
- Steps to Make a Good Confession
- Who is God?
- What is the Holy Trinity?
- What is the Church?
3. Truths concerning The Sacrament of the
Eucharist
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Knowing the basics about the Sacrament of the Eucharist and attending Sunday Mass pretty much helps children to feel comfortable at Mass on the day of their First
Communion. At Mass children become
familiar with the prayers and responses.
The also see how people receive communion.
- The Parts of Mass
- Name the sacred vessels and other sacred objects used at Mass
- Days of Obligation
- What is the Sacrament of the Eucharist?
- How are the consecrated bread and wine different from ordinary bread and wine?
- When does the ordinary bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ?
- Who celebrates the Holy Mass?
- When are Christians obliged to go to Holy Mass?
- Who instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist? When?
- What is needed to receive Holy Communion?
4. Personal Disposition
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The effectiveness of a Sacrament
is dependent on the person’s dispositions.
That is, Communion will be as spiritually effective as children are
disposed to receive it. It is the responsibility of parents to help their children to prepare properly for the day of First Communion.
Here are some tips to help you. Tell your child that:
-
First Communion means to receive Jesus Christ in our hearts
- Communion feeds our souls as food feeds our bodies
- Communion strengthens our spirit (our ability to know, love, and feel)
- he/she will receive Jesus Christ in his/her heart and that is marvelous
- we regard the consecrated bread and wine as the Body and Blood of Christ
- going to weekly (Sunday Mass) makes us happy and good neighbors
[1] It is also important to remember the latter part of Cannon 914. It states, “It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not
attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do
not approach holy communion.”
