First Communion Resources

April 22, 2017 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Confession, First Communion, Sacraments, Ten Commandments 1 Comment

Saint John the Baptist, forerunner of the Messias, prepare the way for Jesus in the hearts of these children. Saint Tarcisius, keep safe the children who are making their first Communion.

Below is a list of all the FREE resources that we gather to help prepare our children for First Communion. Please leave a comment and share your favorite resource or how you plan to use any of the resources listed here.

Holy communion is the shortest and surest way to Heaven. There are others, innocence, for instance, but that is for little children; penance, but we are afraid of it; generous endurance of the trials of life, but when they come we weep and ask to be spared. Once for all, beloved children, the surest, easiest, shortest way is by the Eucharist. It is so easy to approach the holy table, and there we taste the joys of Paradise. ~Pope St. Pius X

RESOURCES:

What First Communicants Need to Know – JOYfilledfamily via FSSP Parish Priest
Communion Prayers – JOYfilledfamily
Pope comments on 1st Communion, Fatima intercession
Preparing for First Holy Communion – Catholic Culture
Preparing for First Holy Communion – Shower of Roses

PRAYERS & MEDITATIONS:

First Holy Communion Novena – by s.m.coyle with St. Therese of Lisieux
Saint Thérèse’s First Communion, 8 May 1884
St Gemma Galgani -A Patron Saint for children and First Communion
Catechetical Meeting of the Holy Father with Children Who Had Received Their First Communion During The Year

PRINTABLES:

Ten Commandments Matching Game – JOYfilledfamily
Ten Commandments Printable – Crusaders for Christ
Ten Commandments Lap Book – Shower of Roses
7 Sacraments Craft & Printable – Shower of Roses
First Communion Holy Card Printables – Holy Reflections
Holy Eucharist Coloring Page – Brother Francis
First Communion Handwriting Practice – Crusaders for Christ
First Communion Catechism Printable – Crusaders for Christ
Act of Contrition Printable – Crusaders for Christ
Sign of the Cross Coloring Page – Crusaders for Christ
Apostles Creed Printable – Crusaders for Christ
Hail Mary Printable – Crusaders for Christ
Hail Mary Printable Book – Crusaders for Christ
Our Father Prayer Printable – Crusaders for Christ
Our Father Prayer Printable Book – Crusaders for Christ
Glory Be Printable – Crusaders for Christ

VIDEO & AUDIO:

First Communion Days – audio book
Act of Contrition Audio
ANIMATION -The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith
Wopsy, the Adventures of a Guardian Angel – audio book
The Ten Commandments – Cartoon on Amazon Prime
First Communion Audio Stories – My First Communion
Friar Alessandro speaks to children about Saint Francis and Holy Communion – My First Communion
Two Eucharistic Miracles with Audio – My First Communion
Sacraments: Eucharist – Sensum Fidelium
Three Persons in One God, Hail Mary, Ten Commandments & More – Pro Multis Catholic Songs for Children Clip

ONLINE BOOKS:

First Communion by Mother Mary Loyola
Story of St. Dominic Savio – CHC under Religion Activities
The Christian Mother: the Education of Her Children and Her Prayer by Fr. Cramer

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A Prayer for those who are preparing Children for their First Holy Communion

O Jesus, who hast loved us with such exceeding great love
as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist,
inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory
by preparing worthily the little children
who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time.
Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
these young souls from the assaults of evil,
strengthen their faith,
increase their love and endow them
with all the virtues that will make them worthy to receive
Thee.
Amen.

Baltimore Catechism No. 2, Lessons 21-30

Revised Edition; Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 1941

Lesson 28 — Holy Communion

366. What is Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is the receiving of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him. (John 6:57)

367. What is necessary to receive Holy Communion worthily?
To receive Holy Communion worthily it is necessary to be free from mortal sin, to have a right intention, and to obey the Church’s laws on the fast required before Holy Communion out of reverence for the body and blood of Our Divine Lord. However, there are some cases in which Holy Communion may be received without fasting.

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. (I Corinthians 11:27)

368. Does he who knowingly receives Holy Communion in mortal sin receive the body and blood of Christ and His graces?
He who knowingly receives Holy Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood of Christ; but he does not receive His graces and he commits a grave sin of sacrilege.

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. (I Corinthians 11:27)

369. What should we do to receive more abundantly the graces of Holy Communion?
To receive more abundantly the graces of Holy Communion we should strive to be most fervent and to free ourselves from deliberate venial sin.

370. Does the Church now command us to fast from midnight before Holy Communion?
The Church does not now command us to fast from midnight before Holy Communion, as it did formerly. The laws enacted by Pope Pius XII now regulate this matter by the number of hours we must fast.

371. When may Holy Communion be received without fasting?
Holy Communion may be received without fasting when one is in danger of death, or when it is necessary to save the Blessed Sacrament from insult or injury.

372. What are the laws enacted by Pope Pius XII regarding the fast required before Holy Communion?
The laws enacted by Pope Pius XII regarding the fast required before Holy Communion are the following:
1. Water may be taken at any time before Holy Communion without breaking the fast.
2. Sick persons, though not confined to bed, may receive Holy Communion after taking medicine or nonalcoholic drinks. A priest’s permission is not necessary.
3. All Catholics may receive Holy Communion after fasting three hours from food and alcoholic drinks and one hour from non-alcoholic drinks. This rule applies to Holy Communion at midnight Mass as well as at Masses celebrated in the morning, afternoon or evening. A priest’s permission is not needed.
4. Catholics are urged to observe the eucharistic fast from midnight as formerly, and also to compensate for the use of the new privileges by works of charity and penance, but these practices are not obligatory. One who has already received Holy Communion may not receive the Blessed Sacrament again on the same day, except in danger of death.

373. How should we prepare ourselves for Holy Communion?
We should prepare ourselves for Holy Communion by thinking of Our Divine Redeemer whom we are about to receive, and by making fervent acts of faith, hope, love, and contrition.

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof. (Matthew 8:8)

374. What should we do after Holy Communion?
After Holy Communion we should spend some time adoring Our Lord, thanking Him, renewing our promises of love and of obedience to Him, and asking Him for blessings for ourselves and others.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

375. What are the chief effects of a worthy Holy Communion?
The chief effects of a worthy Holy Communion are: first, a closer union with Our Lord and a more fervent love of God and of our neighbor; second, an increase of sanctifying grace; third, preservation from mortal sin and the remission of venial sin; fourth, the lessening of our inclinations to sin and the help to practice good works.

He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him. (John 6:57)

376. When are we obliged to receive Holy Communion?
We are obliged to receive Holy Communion during Easter time each year and when in danger of death.

377. Why is it well to receive Holy Communion often, even daily?
It is well to receive Holy Communion often, even daily, because this intimate union with Jesus Christ, the Source of all holiness and the Giver of all graces, is the greatest aid to a holy life.

And they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles and in the communion of the breaking of the bread and in the prayers. (Acts 2:42)

378. How should we show our gratitude to Our Lord for remaining always on our altars in the Holy Eucharist?
We should show our gratitude to Our Lord for remaining always on our altars in the Holy Eucharist by visiting Him often, by reverence in church, by assisting every day at Mass when this is possible, by attending parish devotions, and by being present at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

First Holy Communion

May 20, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: First Communion, First Communion JOY, Sacraments, Sweetie

Can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die? ~ Blessed Imelda

Sweetie received her First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 12, 2012. It was a sweet consolation for Sweetie to receive our Lord on the feast day of Bl. Imelda Lambertini, patron of First Communicants.

Lord Jesus Christ, you received into heaven Blessed Imelda who loved you in the Eucharistic banquet. By her prayers may we learn to approach your holy table with that same fervent love and so fulfill our longing to be with you, who live and reign with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

~General Calendar of the Order of Preachers

~~~

PRE COMMUNION

We started formation in the home and Sweetie received formal preparation from Fr. L.

FHC Practice

First Confession – Fr. S

We moved forward with the physical details once Sweetie completed her FHC test from Fr. S.

We had initially decided to let Sweetie wear a dress from her sisters’ collection. However, Grandma & Grandpa wouldn’t have it. They contributed to Sweeties dress fund.

I found four dress and was able to narrow it down to two options. I brought them home for Sweetie to try on. She chose the simplest dress with the less “poofy” veil with the headband, of course. In typical Sweetie fashion, she changed her mind the following day. She opted to wear Rose’s Jessica McClintock flower girl’s dress with the overlay that Great Grandma Helen made for Rose’s FHC. Her veil was left unchanged.

~~~

BEFORE MASS

We managed to leave the house at the right time. We said a rosary on the way to church for the intentions of Sweetie and all the First Holy Communicants.

We had plenty of time to spare before Father collected the children. Sweetie made a visit to Jesus.

She returned outside to greet her guests and visit with her friends.

Here is Sweetie with her fellow Little Flowers. There were a total of 12 LF receiving FHC.

This is Sweetie with her dear friend.

We managed to get our family pics before Mass. Hopefully someone, out there, has a decent pic of us. If not, this will have to do.

We were filled with joy for the blessed gift that Sweetie was about to receive for the first time.

The children began to line up to process into Mass.

The MC organized the First Holy Communicants.

~~~

MASS

AFTER MASS

The children re-entered the church after Mass for their enrollment in the Brown Scapular.

O God, Who hast honored the Order of Carmel with the special title of Thy most Blessed Mother Mary, ever Virgin: mercifully grant, that we who celebrate her memory this day with solemn office, may be shielded by her protection and deserve to come to everlasting joys: Who livest and reignest. ~ Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

~~~

CELEBRATION

Sweetie was blessed to have wonderful turnout of family to join her for FHC – Auntie, Uncle, Teo, T, Lea, Grandma, Uncle R, Auntie S, Uncle E, Ari, Aunt Y, Nino & Nina and three of her Godsisters. Sadly, Papa and Nana could not be physically present. Papa was in the Respiratory ICU. They were both missed but Sweetie understood that they were with her in prayer.

Sweetie with her Nino & Nina (Godparents).

We were sure not to miss a photo opp with any one of our blessed priests. We did, however, miss the presence of Fr. D. He is no longer able to travel long distances.

Sweetie received her FHC instruction and First Holy Communion from Fr. L.

Fr. M is our Pastor. Fr. S administered Sweetie’s First Confession.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There were 36 First Communicants.

DEO GRATIAS

~~~

Linked to First Communion JOY – Party

My Beloved Jesus,
On This Joyous Day,
I Have Been Given
The Opportunity To
Receive In Communion,
Your Body, Your Blood,
Your Spirit And
Your Supreme Divinity:
May I Prove Worthy And
Appreciative Of This Most
Scared Gift Bestowed.

~ Communion Invitation

Love the Eucharist

December 29, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Adoration, First Communion, First Communion JOY

Dad and I have received a prompt answer to our prayers of discernment— we will be moving forward with Sweetie’s preparation for First Holy Communion. We will start with the foundation, Eucharistic Adoration–devotion to Jesus.

The Eucharist is the sacrament which really, truly and substantially contains the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of Bread and wine. It is the great sacrament of God’s love in which Christ is eaten, the mind is filled with grace and a pledge is given to us of future glory.

Eucharistic adoration is a pious devotional exercise consisting of mental and vocal prayer, honoring this special presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

A Holy Hour draws its inspiration from Christ’s words to the Apostles in Gethsemane: "Can you not watch one hour with me?" It was taught by the Savior to St. Margaret Mary (1647-90) as one of the special practices of the Sacred Heart devotion.

Sweetie will officially enter our family’s Eucharistic Adoration schedule. We pray that her formation will help her grow as an Apostle of the Eucharist.

We pray…

Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, we believe You are with us in the Blessed Sacrament. We believe You are inviting us to become apostles of the Eucharist through the young people you place into our lives.

You told us, “Allow the little children to come unto me, and do not prevent them from doing so.” In saying this, You were telling us to nourish the Eucharistic faith of the young. It is by believing in You that they come to you. It is by growing in their understanding of this faith that they will grow in their love for You.

Here on earth, they cannot see You with their bodily eyes. But they can see You with the eyes of their soul—provided we nurture their faith by our own deep belief in You our Eucharistic Lord and nourish their hearts by our own selfless affection for you our Eucharistic Love. Amen.

~ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

~~~

Guidelines for the Eucharistic Formation of the Young

~ Fr. John A Hardon, S.J.

An apostle of the Eucharist is one who has certain Eucharistic qualities, eight to be exact.

An apostle of the Eucharist is one who is personally very devoted to the Holy Eucharist
- as Real Presence
- as the Sacrifice of the Mass and
- as Holy Communion
An apostle of the Eucharist is one who realizes that there is no solution to the problems of the world or the problems of the Church, except through the Holy Eucharist.
An apostle of the Eucharist is one who does everything in his power, by word and example, to promote a deeper faith in the Eucharist as Presence-Sacrament, as Sacrifice-Sacrament, and as Communion-Sacrament. All these are seen as the main sources of divine grace for the whole human race.
An apostle of the Eucharist prays for a deeper understanding of the Blessed Sacrament, by himself and by others—especially by bishops and priests.
An apostle of the Eucharist lives a life of reparation for those who neglect the Holy Eucharist or desert the Holy Eucharist, or distort and desecrate the Holy Eucharist.
An apostle of the Eucharist is zealous to convert or re-convert people to a life of grace and the fullness of the Christian faith, which believes that Jesus Christ is, now, present on earth, offering Himself in the Mass by giving us the graces He won for us on Calvary, and giving Himself to us and coming bodily into our body, His soul into our soul, as the pledge of eternal destiny.
An apostle of the Eucharist is a martyr for the Eucharist. No matter what price has to be paid, an apostle of the Eucharist is ready to pay it as a witness to his faith that Jesus Christ is living in our midst today.
An apostle of the Eucharist simply expects the Eucharistic Christ to work whatever miracle needs to be performed in our day, especially:
- Miracles of courage in conquering the demon of human respect by confessing Jesus Christ twenty-four hours a day.
- Miracles of conversion in changing sinners, even today’s murderers in high places, to be humble followers of Christ.

But an apostle of the Eucharist has no illusions. There will be opposition. “Have confidence,” Jesus tells us, “I have overcome the world.”

~~~

“I am first of all saying that except for the Eucharist, no one can remain totally faithful to Jesus Christ and the moral demands He makes on His followers. I am further saying that, except for the Eucharist, God will not convert the multitude of souls estranged from His love.“

~ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

~~~

~~~

I’m linking this post to the First Holy Communion JOY Linky Party. Click on the image below view other First Communion resources.

Beginning of a Lifelong Friendship

December 28, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: First Communion, First Communion JOY, Sweetie

"They are My delight."

"Suffer them to come unto Me."

Dad and I are praying the following prayers as we discern if it is time for Sweetie to receive Our Lord, in the gift of the Holy Eucharist.

~~~

A Prayer for those who are preparing Children for their First Holy Communion

O Jesus, who hast loved us with such exceeding great love
as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist,
inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory
by preparing worthily the little children
who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time.
Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
these young souls from the assaults of evil,
strengthen their faith,
increase their love and endow them
with all the virtues that will make them worthy to receive
Thee.
Amen.

~~~

May Sweetie’s heart be prepared to unite with Jesus, especially in the Eucharist, in Holy Communion. May she be on fire to receive Jesus, just like St. Gemma.

"Today I have received Jesus, and now I possess Him entirely in my miserable soul. In such moments my heart and the Heart of Jesus are one. Oh, if only I could make it remain so always! It would mean that I would not commit anymore sins. Oh, what precious moments are those at Holy Communion! Communion is a happiness, Father, that seems to me cannot be equaled even by the beatitude of the Saints and Angels" ~St Gemma Galgani

St. Gemma ~ ora pro nobis

~~~

More First Holy Communion prayers can be found at my post from 2010.

First Communion JOY

May 6, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: First Communion, First Communion JOY

“Without JOY there is no love, and love without JOY is not true love. And so, we need to bring that love and that JOY into the World today.” ~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

You’re invited!

I’m hosting a party

In honor of

Mary & all First Communicants

Share the JOY of your First Communicant. This can be a First Communion Post from this year or recent years past. It’s just a simple way to share your JOY and lift one another up in prayer.

You are welcome to join now!

This has been changed to a “Perpetual Party” and currently

does not have an end date. Join at anytime!

ALL FOR!

How to Join: You will need to link up to this post with the designated Picture Linky from InLinkz. It should be self-explanatory, so I don’t think you’ll have any problem.

Click on the blue “Add your link” button with the froggy face that you’ll find at the bottom of this post.
Please be sure to add your Permalink, not your general blog address.

To get your permalink:
- click on your post name.
- copy the address that shows up in the address bar at the top,
- paste the copied address into the “url” box for the picture linky.
You’ll also need to enter your email address, It will not be visible to anyone.
Copy and paste the desired First Communion JOY logo button to your computer or save it in a file. Then you can upload it to your side bar and use it in your First Communion JOY post so your visitors will know you are participating.
Please link back to the host blog, JOYfilledfamily. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, share the JOY and offer prayers for other participants.

Please do not add your link below, until your First Communion JOY post is actually published to your blog.

You may contact me via email if you are having difficulties and I will do my best to help you troubleshoot.