First Holy Communion

If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live for ever.

- John 6:52

Candidates

From the Diocese of Rochester, Policies for the Administration of the Sacraments, 2.2:

Ordinarily, candidates for First Penance and First Eucharist have participated in regular religious education or attend Catholic School for the year preceding enrollment for  preparation for First Eucharist. (In other words, these children were part of a formal first grade  faith formation experience.)

Candidates for First Eucharist will have made sacramental confession before receiving this Sacrament in accordance with canon 914 of the Code of Canon Law which states: “It is  primarily the duty of parents, and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty  of the 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  as soon as possible.” (CIC, c. 914; CCC, no. 1457).

Preparation

The catechesis and celebration of First Eucharist is to be separated from that of First Penance, and these Sacraments shall ordinarily take place when a child is in grade two.

The administration of the Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the Body of Christ with faith and devotion. (Cf. CIC, c. 913, §1).

The immediate preparation for First Eucharist is distinct, in programming and content,  from the catechesis for First Penance; and separate from both Catholic schools and religious  education programs.

  • The careful preparation required is more than the intellectual preparation; it includes  formative experiences in faith such as are promoted by attendance at weekly Mass even  before the children receive the Most Holy Eucharist.
  • Every parish has the responsibility of assisting the parents in this role by providing parish  programs that include both the theological understanding of the Eucharist and the  practical preparation of children to participate in the celebration of it.
  • Texts for First Eucharist must be on the USCCB Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts  and Series to be used to assist in this preparation process.
Immediate preparation (of four to six weeks) for full participation in the Eucharist should include:
  • Familiarity with, and opportunities to participate in, the whole Eucharistic rite as the central act of worship;
  • Instruction in the options permitted by the Church for the reverent reception of the consecrated hosts and precious blood;
  • A deepening awareness of the activity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in our lives;
  • The gifts of Jesus in his life, death and resurrection; and
  • An understanding of the Church’s faith in Christ’s continued presence in the Eucharist, as well as in the Christian assembly and his Word.

    • Our First Penance and First Communion celebration normally occurs in May, with registration in January and March. Please contact the Director of Faith Formation for more details.