What should you know before First Communion and Confirmation?

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The parish I attend doesn’t have RCIA. (it’s a small church) I have been studying on my own for awhile now. Does any one know what some one should know and understand about Catholicism before First Communion and Confirmation?

I was told that I should know the seven Sacraments in detail. I should know what Sacramentals are. The liturgical calendar along with feast days. The Creed and what each line represents. Any other suggestions?
 
You should probably ask this question of your pastor since he will be the one to decide when or if you are ready.
 
I would say that knowing the gifts of the Holy Spirit is good! Also knowing how to make a good confession, and I guess just knowing some basic Catholic stuff like Adoration, the Real Prescence, The Rosary… Oh and this is important: to sort of tap your heart when during the “I confess…” you say “I have sinned through my own fault.” Many people don’t do this.🤷 That goes for this too: bowing your head when during the Creed you say “By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born unto the Virgin Mary, and became man.”👍
Congrats! Praying for you… have you set a date yet?😛
 
lizds said:
The parish I attend doesn’t have RCIA. (it’s a small church) I have been studying on my own for awhile now. Does any one know what some one should know and understand about Catholicism before First Communion and Confirmation?

I was told that I should know the seven Sacraments in detail. I should know what Sacramentals are. The liturgical calendar along with feast days. The Creed and what each line represents. Any other suggestions?
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In addition to asking your pastor, check out Catholic Christianity by Peter Kreeft. I think he goes over just about everything you need to know. And, of course, the Catechism - the official compilation.
 
I am currently traveling with 11 children towards their full immersion in the Catholic Church. My question to you is what do you feel when you see the Host raised above the head of the priest and he says “This is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ”? We work alot on what the children feel emotionally as well as academically…if you truly believe that what you see the blessed host is Jesus and that you want to serve, pray and participate in the Mass and sacraments that is a big step, I think, towards understanding the sacraments you will receive…Talk with a deacon or a priest and get some basic reading material on the Catholic Church.
 
Thank you. All of it is good advice. I’ve actually been to 3 am Adoration with my boyfriend when his father was unable to make it. Besides that fact that I have low-blood pressure and I can’t kneel for an hour, I absolutely loved it. I also pray the Rosary daily, I’ve memorized most of it along with several other prayers and the Creeds. I was taught to kneel during the Creed when you say “By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born unto the Virgin Mary, and became man.”

I don’t know much about making a confession though, in fact I don’t really know anything about it. Any insight would be nice.
 
lizds said:
I don’t know much about making a confession though, in fact I don’t really know anything about it. Any insight would be nice.
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As someone who had his first confession just a few weeks ago, all I can say is that it’s nothing to panic over. If you search your conscience (and there are many helpful websites to help you prepare), you’ll be fine.

For one thing, you won’t tell the priest anything he hasn’t heard before. For another, he’s looking to forgive you, not punish you.

I won’t go into details about mine (too private for a public forum), but suffice it to say that it was a very liberating experience. A guilty conscience can weigh a lot.
 
30 of our children just did their First Confession on 15th of Nov. One major point we teach is that our God is a loving God and He will always forgive your sins if you truly are sorry and promise to do better. Doing an examination of the day and what you have or have not done is a great way to prepare for your first one. If you are baptized as Catholic already you will enter the confessional (preferably face to face with the priest) and do the Sign of the Cross. Tell the priest this is your first confession and proceed to tell him your shortcomings and mortal sins and then your venial sins. You will then say the Act of Contrition and ask forgiveness. The priest will give you a “penance” either prayers or an action to do as soon as you leave confessional. He will then give you absolution( prayers to God for forgiveness) and your sins are gone. He will bless you and then say Thank you father and you go back to your pew and do your penance or whatever the priest told you to do. It is very liberating. If you are not baptized yet go and talk with the priest of your church to have original sin removed from your soul before receiving His Precious Body and Blood. Hope this helps
 
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