Jesus gives himself to us in the Blessed Sacrament
In our parish communities — St Mary’s, St John Bosco and St Edward’s — First Holy Communion is the joyful moment when a baptised Catholic receives Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
The Eucharist is not merely a symbol, a reward for completing a course or simply part of a special family celebration.
It is Jesus Christ himself, truly, really and substantially present: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
First Holy Communion is therefore a sacred encounter with Christ and is approached with faith, love, reverence and suitable preparation.
What is the Holy Eucharist?
At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and wine and gave them to his Apostles as his Body and Blood, commanding them to continue celebrating the Eucharist in his memory.
At every Mass, through the ministry of the priest, the whole substance of bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Church calls this change transubstantiation.
The appearances of bread and wine remain, but Jesus Christ himself is truly present.
Because Jesus is truly present, Catholics adore the Blessed Sacrament during Mass and outside Mass, receive Holy Communion with reverence and give thanks afterwards.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
The Eucharist is both sacrifice and sacred banquet.
Jesus offered himself once for all upon the Cross. He does not suffer and die again at Mass.
At every Mass, Christ’s one perfect Sacrifice of Calvary is made sacramentally present and its fruits are applied to the Church.
The same Jesus who offered himself for us on the Cross gives himself to us as food in Holy Communion.
This is why the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.
What Are You Asking For?
When parents ask for First Holy Communion, they are asking for much more than a special Mass, clothes, photographs or a family celebration.
They are asking that their child be admitted for the first time to sacramental Communion with Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
The Catholic Church believes that, after the consecration, what appears to be bread and wine is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
First Holy Communion therefore means that a child has begun to understand, according to their capacity, whom they are receiving and can approach the sacrament with faith and reverence.
It is also intended to be the first of many Holy Communions.
Parents asking for First Holy Communion are therefore asking that their child enter more deeply into the Sunday Mass and Eucharistic life of the Church.
Preparation is not simply preparation for one special day.
It is preparation for a way of life.
In asking for First Holy Communion, you are asking that your child be nourished by Christ himself and begin a lifelong Eucharistic life.
Preparing for First Holy Communion
Preparation in our parish is personal, and based upon understanding and readiness rather than simply age or school year.
A child preparing for First Holy Communion is preparing to receive Jesus Christ himself, not merely to take part in an event.
Children do not need advanced theological language. They do need, according to their age and capacity, to understand whom they are receiving and to approach Holy Communion with faith and devotion.
The ordinary starting point is Sunday Mass.
Sacramental preparation belongs within the worshipping life of the Church.
First Confession comes first
Before receiving First Holy Communion, a child who has reached the use of reason should be prepared for and receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
Our parish therefore begins with My First Confession Catechism.
The child learns about God’s love and mercy, right and wrong, sin and conversion, how to examine their conscience and how to make a good Confession.
Once preparation for First Confession is complete and the child has received the sacrament, preparation continues towards First Holy Communion.
My First Holy Communion Catechism
After First Confession preparation, the child uses:
My First Holy Communion Catechism
Jesus gives himself to me in the Blessed Sacrament
The catechism contains twelve short 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
The book also contains a Child’s Guide to the Mass, a step-by-step guide to First Holy Communion, prayers before and after Communion, a summary catechism and a readiness guide.
DOWNLOAD MY FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CATECHISM
How preparation works
The catechism itself provides the ordinary lesson.
The catechism is the lesson.
There is no need for parents or catechists to invent additional lessons, worksheets or projects.
The child works through the twelve conversations with a parent, parish catechist or mentor, according to the arrangements made with the parish.
Each conversation contains:
REMEMBER → SHORT TEACHING → TALK ABOUT IT → THE ESSENTIALS → PRAYER → THIS WEEK
Children are encouraged to answer in their own words before learning the short Catholic answer.
A lesson can be repeated or divided when necessary.
Understanding matters more than rushing to finish a programme.
Sunday Mass comes first
First Holy Communion preparation makes most sense when a child is already becoming familiar with the Mass.
During preparation, children learn to recognise the principal parts of the Mass, listen to Sacred Scripture, join the prayers and responses, adore Christ at the consecration and understand what happens when they approach Holy Communion.
Families are therefore warmly encouraged to make Sunday Mass the centre of preparation.
If your family has not been attending regularly, do not wait until everything feels perfect.
Simply begin.
Come to Mass together, allow your child to become familiar with the church and let sacramental preparation grow naturally within the life of the parish.
When is a child ready?
Readiness does not mean perfect memory or mature theological language.
According to their capacity, a child should be able to:
- know who Jesus Christ is;
- believe that the consecrated Eucharist is truly Jesus Christ and not ordinary bread or merely a symbol;
- understand simply that the Mass makes present Christ’s one Sacrifice of the Cross;
- have received First Confession;
- understand the need to receive Holy Communion in the state of grace;
- observe the Eucharistic fast with appropriate adult support;
- receive the Sacred Host reverently;
- answer “Amen” as a profession of faith;
- and pray simply before and after Holy Communion.
Parents, catechists and the parish priest accompany this discernment together.
Preparation is not a public examination.
Children should never be shamed, frightened or pressured to receive.
Preparing to receive worthily
Holy Communion should be received with Catholic faith and proper disposition.
Before receiving, children learn about:
- being in the state of grace;
- sacramental Confession;
- the one-hour Eucharistic fast;
- prayer and forgiveness;
- reverent participation in Mass;
- and preparing themselves carefully for the One they are about to receive.
Anyone conscious of mortal sin must receive sacramental absolution before receiving Holy Communion. Water and medicine do not break the Eucharistic fast.
These are not simply rules to memorise.
They express our faith that Holy Communion really is Jesus.
Receiving Holy Communion
Before the celebration, children are shown practically and reverently how to receive Holy Communion according to the approved practice of the Church and the parish.
The minister presents the Sacred Host and says:
“The Body of Christ.”
The child answers:
“Amen.”
That Amen means: I believe.
The child receives the Sacred Host reverently and consumes it immediately before returning to their place to pray in thanksgiving.
The catechism contains a complete step-by-step guide so that the child can approach First Holy Communion peacefully and confidently.
Medical, disability or additional needs
A disability, learning difference or medical condition does not by itself prevent a child from receiving Holy Communion.
Please speak with the parish well before the celebration if your child has:
- coeliac disease;
- difficulty swallowing;
- a disability or learning difference;
- sensory or communication needs;
- or another medical or practical need.
Appropriate adaptations can then be made with the family and priest.
The Eucharistic elements or manner of reception should never be improvised privately.
The celebration of First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion is normally celebrated within the Holy Mass and the worshipping life of the parish.
The emphasis is upon Christ and the sacrament rather than clothes, photographs, presents or the celebration afterwards.
Those things may rightly make the day joyful and memorable, but the heart of the day is much simpler:
Jesus gives himself to the child in the Blessed Sacrament.
Families are encouraged to help keep that truth at the centre of the preparation and celebration.
After First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion is a beginning, not a finish line.
The grace of the Eucharist is intended to shape the whole of Christian life.
Children should be helped to continue:
Sunday Mass · Holy Communion · regular Confession · daily prayer · thanksgiving · Eucharistic adoration · charity · forgiveness · parish life
Holy Communion unites us more closely to Christ, strengthens charity, cleanses venial sins and nourishes us on the journey towards eternal life.
A Eucharistic life continues after Mass as friendship with Jesus bears fruit in love of God and neighbour.
For parents
Parents remain the first educators of their children in the faith.
You do not need to become a theology teacher in order to prepare your child.
The most important things are simple:
Come to Sunday Mass together.
Work through the short catechism conversations.
Pray with your child.
Speak naturally about Jesus and the Eucharist.
Encourage Confession.
Help your child practise receiving reverently.
And, above all, show by your own life that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist matters.
If it has been some time since you came to Mass or received the sacraments yourself, your child’s preparation can also become a gentle opportunity to begin again.
Older children and adults
My First Holy Communion Catechism is written principally for children.
An older child may sometimes use the same material with suitable adaptation.
An adult who was baptised Catholic but has never received Holy Communion should contact the parish rather than simply beginning the children’s course.
We will talk about your sacramental history and circumstances and arrange preparation appropriate to you.
If you have never been baptised, please see:
BECOMING CATHOLIC — RCIA / THE CATECHUMENATE
If you were baptised in another Christian community and wish to become Catholic, please see:
BAPTISED CHILDREN ENTERING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
RECEPTION OF ADULTS INTO FULL COMMUNION
Ready to begin?
If your child is ready to begin preparation for First Confession and First Holy Communion, please contact the parish.
Preparation begins with a conversation, not simply an enrolment form.
We will help establish where your child is in their sacramental journey, provide the appropriate catechism and accompany your family towards the sacraments.
Where: St Mary’s, St John Bosco or St Edward’s
Contact: Fr John — john.owens@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Jesus gives himself to me in the Blessed Sacrament.
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.”
(John 6:56)
That is the heart of First Holy Communion.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 