Jesus gives himself to us in the Blessed Sacrament
First Holy Communion is a joyful and holy moment in a child’s life. For the first time, the child receives Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus said:
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever.”
John 6:51
Preparation is personal and flexible. It begins with a conversation and continues at a pace suitable for the child. Parents remain closely involved, and a parish mentor can provide support when needed.
There is no need to wait for an annual course. Families may begin at any time.
Who is this pathway for?
This pathway is for a Catholic child who:
- has been validly baptised;
- has reached the use of reason, normally from about seven years of age;
- is preparing to receive First Holy Communion;
- will make First Confession before receiving Holy Communion.
If your child has not been baptised and is aged seven or over, please visit:
Christian Initiation for Children Aged Seven and Over
If your child was baptised in another Christian community and is now seeking to become Catholic, please visit:
Reception of Baptised Children into the Catholic Church
Adults seeking Baptism, First Holy Communion or reception into the Catholic Church should follow one of our adult pathways:
What is the Holy Eucharist?
The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Christ himself, truly, really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine.
At Mass, through the words of Christ spoken by the priest and the power of the Holy Spirit, the whole substance of the bread becomes the Body of Christ, and the whole substance of the wine becomes his Blood. The appearances of bread and wine remain.
This change is called transubstantiation.
Holy Communion is therefore not ordinary food and is not merely a symbol. In the Blessed Sacrament we receive the whole Christ, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Our outward reverence expresses what we believe inwardly: Jesus Christ is truly present.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and said:
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19
The Mass makes present the one sacrifice which Jesus offered upon the Cross. Jesus does not die again. His one sacrifice is made sacramentally present, and the Church is united with his perfect offering to the Father.
The Mass is both sacrifice and sacred banquet. Christ gives himself for us and feeds us with his own Body and Blood.
What are parents asking for?
When parents ask for First Holy Communion, they are asking for much more than a special celebration.
They are asking that their child:
- comes to know and love Jesus;
- understands whom they are receiving;
- believes in the Real Presence;
- learns to participate in Sunday Mass;
- receives First Confession;
- knows how to receive Holy Communion reverently;
- begins a lifelong Eucharistic life.
The clothes, photographs and family celebration can all be joyful parts of the day. Jesus Christ, however, must remain at the centre.
Thinking about faith as a family?
Asking for First Holy Communion can sometimes lead parents to think again about their own faith.
Perhaps you were brought up Catholic but have not been to Mass for some time.
Perhaps you are unsure what you believe yourself.
Perhaps you want your child to receive First Holy Communion, but realise that faith and Sunday Mass have not yet become part of your family’s ordinary life.
You are very welcome to begin.
First Holy Communion is not simply preparation for one special day. It belongs within a growing life with Jesus Christ, Sunday Mass, prayer and the life of the Church.
If faith is new to your family, or you are beginning again after some time away, it can be helpful to start by exploring faith for yourself before beginning formal First Holy Communion preparation.
If you were baptised Catholic but have been away from the Church, you may also find Returning to the Faith helpful.
You are welcome to come to Sunday Mass and begin again gradually. Fr John will be happy to speak with you and help you find the right next step.
How preparation works
1. An initial conversation
Preparation begins with a conversation with the parish. This allows us to learn about the child, the family’s circumstances, Baptism, attendance at Mass and any additional needs.
2. First Confession
A baptised child who has reached the use of reason prepares for and receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation before First Holy Communion.
3. Preparation with a parent or mentor
Parents may use the parish materials directly with their child. No teaching experience is required.
If the family would benefit from additional help, the parish can assign a mentor to accompany them. Parents remain involved and are present when a mentor meets their child.
4. Sunday Mass and family prayer
Children learn the Mass by attending it. Regular participation in Sunday Mass is therefore an essential part of preparation.
At home, families should also develop a simple pattern of prayer. This might include morning or evening prayer, grace before meals, reading a short passage from the Gospel and praying for other people.
5. Readiness and practical preparation
Preparation continues until the child understands the central truths and can receive Holy Communion with faith and reverence.
Readiness is not decided by completing a fixed number of weeks or passing an examination. It is a pastoral judgement involving the child, parents, mentor and priest.
6. First Holy Communion
When the child is ready, the parish will agree the arrangements for First Holy Communion with the family.
Preparation resources
The parish provides everything needed for preparation.
First Holy Communion Catechism
The catechism contains twelve clear conversations:
- God Feeds His Children
- The Passover, the Manna and the Bread of Life
- Jesus Institutes the Holy Eucharist
- Jesus Is Truly Present
- Transubstantiation
- Adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
- The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
- The Parts of the Mass
- Offering Ourselves with Jesus
- Preparing to Receive Worthily
- Receiving Holy Communion Reverently
- Thanksgiving and a Eucharistic Life
Download the First Holy Communion Catechism
Activity and Conversation Companion
The companion helps parents and mentors make the teaching active, personal and memorable. It includes simple activities, objects, Scripture, questions, practical rehearsals and suggestions for prayer.
It does not replace the catechism. The catechism provides the teaching, while the companion helps the child understand and respond to it.
There is no need to complete every activity. Choose the activities which best help your child.
Download the First Holy Communion Activity and Conversation Companion
First Holy Communion app
The app provides additional teaching and revision. A child should use it with a parent where possible.
The app is extra help. It does not replace Sunday Mass, family prayer, the catechism or personal preparation.
Open the First Holy Communion App
Short Parish Pathway Guide
This printable guide gives families a brief summary of the parish pathway.
Download the First Holy Communion Parish Pathway Guide
How to use the materials
Our First Holy Communion Catechism contains twelve gentle conversations to help children come to know, love and understand Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
The book is designed to be shared with a parent, carer or parish mentor. No teaching experience, lesson preparation or additional materials are needed. Everything required is included in the catechism.
Each conversation follows six simple steps:
- Begin together – Start with a familiar question or experience to help the child think about the subject.
- Read together – Read the teaching slowly, explaining anything the child finds difficult to understand.
- Talk and understand – Use the questions and suggested answers to explore what has been learnt. Allow the child to answer in their own words.
- Remember – Learn one short catechism answer expressing the central truth of the conversation.
- Pray together – Finish by speaking to Jesus in a simple prayer connected with the teaching.
- One small step – Choose a practical action to help the child live what has been learnt through prayer, Sunday Mass or everyday life.
There is no need to rush.
Around ten to fifteen minutes may be enough for a conversation. Some children will need longer, while others may benefit from shorter conversations spread over several days.
Children should be encouraged to ask questions, express themselves naturally and grow in understanding at their own pace.
The suggested answers are there to help adults explain the faith correctly, not to turn preparation into an examination. Children do not need perfect wording or complicated theological explanations.
Using the Activity and Conversation Companion
The optional Activity and Conversation Companion follows the same twelve subjects and provides further opportunities for discussion and practical activities.
It can be used whenever additional help would be useful, but it is not necessary to complete every activity. The catechism itself contains everything needed for the twelve conversations.
Practising for Holy Communion
The catechism also includes a simple guide to Sunday Mass, prayers before and after Holy Communion, and practical guidance for the First Holy Communion day.
Children should be helped to practise approaching reverently, making the appropriate gesture of respect, answering “Amen” and understanding how to receive the Sacred Host.
At home, this can be rehearsed through conversation and simple movements without using food or pretending to celebrate Mass. Children must not imitate the words of consecration. The parish will provide appropriate practical preparation.
Growing in faith, not completing a course
These twelve conversations are a guide to understanding the Eucharist, not a twelve-week course or a test to be passed.
Preparation also includes Sunday Mass, family prayer, First Confession and a growing friendship with Jesus Christ.
A child may need to revisit a subject or spend more time developing confidence. This is perfectly normal.
The parish priest will discern readiness with the family, taking account of the child’s age, understanding, circumstances and individual needs.
The aim is not simply to finish a book. It is to help each child recognise whom they are preparing to receive and to welcome Jesus Christ with faith, love and reverence.
Sunday Mass and family life
The best preparation for First Holy Communion is a growing Catholic life centred upon Sunday Mass.
At Mass, the child gradually learns:
- to enter the church prayerfully;
- to recognise the altar, ambo, tabernacle and sanctuary lamp;
- to listen to the Word of God;
- to join in the prayers and responses;
- to kneel, stand and sit with the congregation;
- to recognise the different parts of the Mass;
- to make a prayerful thanksgiving;
- to know that the Eucharist is the centre of Catholic life.
If your family is unfamiliar with Mass, please do not worry. Come and allow the parish to help you.
When is a child ready?
Before receiving First Holy Communion, a child should be able, in an age-appropriate way, to understand that:
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and rose for us;
- the Eucharist is truly Jesus, not ordinary bread and not merely a symbol;
- the whole Christ is present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity;
- the Mass makes present Christ’s one sacrifice;
- First Confession normally comes before First Holy Communion;
- we should receive Holy Communion in a state of grace;
- Catholics observe the one-hour Eucharistic fast;
- Holy Communion must be received carefully and reverently;
- “Amen” means that the child believes;
- prayer and thanksgiving should follow Holy Communion;
- First Holy Communion begins a continuing Eucharistic life.
The child does not need to use complicated theological language. The important question is whether the child understands the truth being expressed.
Preparing to receive worthily
Before receiving Holy Communion, a Catholic should:
- be in a state of grace;
- receive Confession if conscious of having committed a mortal sin;
- observe the Eucharistic fast;
- prepare through prayer;
- approach with faith and reverence;
- seek peace and forgiveness where this is needed.
The Eucharistic fast means taking no food or drink for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine do not break the fast.
Parents should help their child prepare calmly. The purpose is not to make the child anxious, but to help them recognise the holiness of the sacrament.
Receiving Holy Communion
The parish will show the child the approved way of receiving Holy Communion.
The minister says:
“The Body of Christ.”
The child answers clearly:
“Amen.”
This “Amen” means: “Yes, I believe.”
The child receives the Sacred Host reverently and consumes it immediately. After returning to their place, the child should make a personal prayer of thanksgiving.
A simple thanksgiving might include:
- Adore: Jesus, I believe that you are truly present.
- Thank: Thank you for giving yourself to me.
- Offer: I give you my heart and my life.
- Ask: Help me to love you and serve others.
Medical and additional needs
Please speak to the parish early if your child has:
- coeliac disease or another medical condition;
- difficulty swallowing;
- a physical disability;
- sensory needs;
- communication difficulties;
- anxiety or another need which may affect preparation or reception.
The parish will work with the family to make suitable arrangements in accordance with the Church’s requirements. Please do not make private arrangements concerning the Sacred Host without first speaking to the priest.
The celebration
First Holy Communion should be joyful, prayerful and centred upon Christ.
Families can help by:
- arriving in good time;
- keeping the morning calm;
- praying with the child;
- following the parish’s practical instructions;
- treating the church and the Blessed Sacrament with reverence;
- allowing photographs and celebrations to remain secondary to the sacrament.
The most important part of the day is not what the child wears or receives afterwards. It is the person the child receives, Jesus Christ.
After First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion is a beginning, not a finishing point.
After the celebration, the child should continue to grow through:
- Sunday Mass;
- frequent Holy Communion;
- regular Confession;
- personal and family prayer;
- reading the Scriptures;
- thanksgiving after Communion;
- Eucharistic adoration;
- works of charity;
- taking part in parish life.
Parents give the strongest witness when receiving Holy Communion becomes part of the family’s ordinary Sunday life.
Ready to begin?
Please contact the parish to arrange an initial conversation.
You do not need to wait for a course to begin. We will listen to your family’s circumstances, explain the pathway and help you decide whether preparation will be led by a parent or supported by a parish mentor.
Email: john.owens@dioceseofnottingham.uk
First Holy Communion is the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
