Preparation for First Communion

[Aureole]

Well I made a search of the forums and couldn’t find anything on First Communion, only preparation for Communion so I decided I would ask the question.

Well I still haven’t recieved First Communion, at the time I wasn’t “ready”, as I put it, to receive Christ at Mass. Well now many years down the road I’ve become a good practicing Catholic, and think that now I’m more prepared to recieve such a blessing. However I want to be totally sure I understand the Eucharist, Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and make sure I don’t misuse the Sacrament.

So is there anything I should read, ask my priest about, ask my teachers, peers who receive, in order to help prepare me for my First Communion? Any prayers I should pray? Any advice would be more than appreciated.

 

[Elizabeth_B]

Based upon your reverence for our Lord in this sacrament, I think that you are ready to receive Him.

As a cradle Catholic, I grow in understanding of the Eucharist every time I receive Christ. I have accepted the fact that I will never fully understand the mystery of His love for me in this life. I accept the fact that He wants to be united with me so much that He does not require me to be perfect. (I am deeply grateful for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.)

In this life, I will never be “worthy” to receive Christ. Thankfully, He comes to me in the Eucharist to make me a little more worthy.

 

[puzzleannie]

If you understand and believe the Jesus Christ is truly present sacramentally in the consecrated host and precious blood, really present, body, blood soul and divinity, and wish to receive Him, and understand the holy sacrifice of the Mass and what is occuring, you are ready for first communion. I assume you are baptized Catholic and understand and believe the promises made by your parents in baptism (the Nicene Creed).

You must be in a state of grace which means you must go to confession. If you have never been, find a booklet on examining your conscience - or simply use the 10 commandments as guideline. Tell the priest it is your first confession, or how long it has been, and confess everything you can remember. If you have not memorized the act of contrition, take a copy of the prayer in with you. If you wish your first communion to be recorded in the sacramental record of your current parish and on your baptismal record, you should register for adult classes and preparation in your parish. In any case, you should look for any adult education classes they offer, especially on the catechism and bible, so you continue to grow in your faith.

If you want more info on the sacrament of Eucharist, go back to the CA home page under tracts, sacraments, for various articles on the sacrament and the real presence. Also read the catechism sections on the sacrament of Eucharist, and John’s gospel, chapter 6, as well as the account of the Last Supper in any of the gospels. Read the Emmaus story at the end of Luke’s gospel for catechesis on the Mass.

 

[Aureole]

Elizabeth B.:

Based upon your reverence for our Lord in this sacrament, I think that you are ready to receive Him.

Thank you for the compliment. I just want to make sure that I’m fully understanding the great sacrifice Christ made for us.

puzzleannie:

If you understand and believe the Jesus Christ is truly present sacramentally in the consecrated host and precious blood, really present, body, blood soul and divinity, and wish to receive Him, and understand the holy sacrifice of the Mass and what is occuring, you are ready for first communion. I assume you are baptized Catholic and understand and believe the promises made by your parents in baptism (the Nicene Creed).

You must be in a state of grace which means you must go to confession. If you have never been, find a booklet on examining your conscience - or simply use the 10 commandments as guideline. Tell the priest it is your first confession, or how long it has been, and confess everything you can remember. If you have not memorized the act of contrition, take a copy of the prayer in with you. If you wish your first communion to be recorded in the sacramental record of your current parish and on your baptismal record, you should register for adult classes and preparation in your parish. In any case, you should look for any adult education classes they offer, especially on the catechism and bible, so you continue to grow in your faith.

If you want more info on the sacrament of Eucharist, go back to the CA home page under tracts, sacraments, for various articles on the sacrament and the real presence. Also read the catechism sections on the sacrament of Eucharist, and John’s gospel, chapter 6, as well as the account of the Last Supper in any of the gospels. Read the Emmaus story at the end of Luke’s gospel for catechesis on the Mass.

Thanks, I’ll be sure to check everything here out. I’ve been to Confession, actually that is exactly what brought me to become a better Catholic, but I know that I have to go more often than I do. Luckily my religion teacher is great and gives me many pamphlets and such, an examination of conscience happens to be one of them. Thanks for all the information.