First Holy Communion

Once the children in Year 3 have made the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Families liaise with Father Cecil and arrange a time for their First Holy Communion during a weekend Mass. Members of staff are present at each of the weekend Masses to support the children and families.

During Religious Education lessons in school, the children study the Last Supper when Jesus shared his last meal with the disciples. They look in particular at the breaking of the bread and how this is similar to the celebration of the Mass. By examining the words of Jesus at the Last Supper and the priest at Mass, they learn to appreciate that we are present with Jesus every time we go to Mass.

The children study all of the parts of the Mass in detail over the year but focus particularly on the Liturgy of the Eucharist leading up to the celebration of First Holy Communion.  By exploring each of the parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in detail, the children learn that the Mass is a celebration of thanksgiving and that during the Eucharistic prayer, the priest asks the Holy Spirit to change the gifts of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Alongside their lessons in school, the children attend Mass with their families each week and pray at home as a family. The children are encouraged to read Bible stories together and discuss their Religious Education lessons. The children are given various tasks to complete at home linked to their First Holy Communion.

In addition to this, the children and their families are asked to attend workshops led by teachers. These workshops have enabled the parents to explore and deepen their own faith so that they are able to support their children at home.  

Prayers linked to First Holy Communion

Prayer before Communion

Lord Jesus, come to me.

Lord Jesus, give me your love.

Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself.

Amen

Prayer after Communion

Lord Jesus, I love and adore you.

You are a special friend to me.

Welcome, Lord Jesus, O welcome!

Thank you for coming to me.