First Communion JOY

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

~~~

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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.

Mediatrix of All Graces

June 8, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: First Communion JOY, Marian

My First Communion JOY Party was scheduled to end today (June 8, 2010) but the deadline has been extended for another year, God willing!

The Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mediatrix of All Grace

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us!
Mother of God, and our Mother, pray for us!
True Mother of the living, pray for us!
Mother regenerating men in Christ unto God, pray for us!
Mother of piety and of grace, pray for us!
Mother of pardon and remission, pray for us!
Partner in human redemption, pray for us!
Recoverer of a lost world, pray for us!
Recoverer of the ages, pray for us!
Petitioner of all graces, pray for us!
Suppliant all-powerful, pray for us!
Advocate with thy Son for thy sons, pray for us!
Obtainer of the divine mercy, pray for us!
Dispenser of heavenly treasures, pray for us!
Handmaid of divine blessings, pray for us!
Fullness of grace to overflow upon all, pray for us!
Succor of the Church Militant, pray for us!
Ready helper of those in peril, pray for us!
Devoted consoler of the sorrowful, pray for us!
Conqueress of all error, pray for us!
Protectress of the world, pray for us!
Impregnable protection, pray for us!
Propitiation of the divine wrath, pray for us!
Refuge of all the unhappy, pray for us!
Shelter of orphans, pray for us!
Assured safety of the faithful, pray for us!
Hope of all who despair, pray for us!
Stay of the falling, pray for us!
Uplifter of the fallen, pray for us!
Cheer and comfort of the dying, pray for us!
Peace and joy of mankind, pray for us!
Our life, our sweetness and our hope, pray for us!
Gate of Paradise, pray for us!
Mystical stair of Jacob, pray for us!
Key of the heavenly kingdom, pray for us!
Channel of divine graces, pray for us!
Throne of divine clemency, pray for us!
Fountain of living waters, pray for us!
Fountain sealed by the Holy Spirit, pray for us!
Unfailing stream of mercy, pray for us!
Asylum of the erring, pray for us!
Haven of the shipwrecked, pray for us!
Shining star of the sea, pray for us!
Light of those who sit in darkness, pray for us!
Chamber of spiritual nuptials, pray for us!
Mediatrix of men with God, pray for us!
Mediatrix after the Mediator, pray for us!
Mediatrix reconciling us to the Son, pray for us!
Mediatrix of sinners, staunch and true, pray for us!
Mediatrix of all beneath the sky, pray for us!
Mediatrix ever pleading for us, pray for us!
Mediatrix set between Christ and His Church, pray for us!
Mediatrix who hast found favor with God, pray for us!
Mediatrix to win salvation for the world, pray for us!
Mediatrix of the mysteries of God, pray for us!
Mediatrix of all graces, pray for us!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, our powerful Mediatrix,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!
Let us Pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator with the Father, Who hast deigned to appoint the Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother also and our Mediatrix with Thee, graciously grant that whosoever goes to Thee in quest of blessings may be gladdened by obtaining them all through her, Thou Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.

Prayer of Petition

O Ever-Virgin Mother of God and Mediatrix of Grace who art the House of Gold within which dwells thy Son, our Mediator, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech thee to grant our requests for our salvation and the salvation of the entire world. (Here pause and make your requests) Keep us close to the Vicar of thy Son in the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church. Hear our prayer and grant the requests we make to thee.

St. Joseph, Intercede for us.
St. Jude Thaddeus, Pray for us.
St. Mary of Cleophas, Pray for us.
St. Philip Neri, Pray for us.
St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Pray for us.
St. Maximillian Kolbe, Pray for us.

Prayer Source: Prayers from Various Websites

QUOTES:

“It is accepted as certain and irrefutable in the Catholic Church, although it is not yet declared as a dogma, that the Mother of God is the Mediatrix of All Graces." ~ St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe-Franciscan Martyr of Auschwitz

… in suffering with Him as He died on the cross, she cooperated in the work of the Savior, in an altogether singular way, by obedience, faith, hope, and burning love, to restore supernatural life to souls. As a result she is our Mother in the order of grace. ~ The Second Vatican Council (Lumen gentium ## 61-62)

"To Mary, His faithful spouse, God the Holy Ghost has communicated His unspeakable gifts; and He has chosen her to be the dispensatrix of all He possesses, in such sort that she distributes to whom she wills, as much as she wills, as she wills and when she wills, all His gifts and graces. The Holy Ghost gives no heavenly gift to men which does not pass through her virginal hands." ~St. Louis De Montfort

"All the saints have a great devotion to Our Lady: no grace comes from Heaven without passing through her hands. We cannot go into a house without speaking to the doorkeeper. Well, the Holy Virgin is the doorkeeper of Heaven.” ~St. John Vianney

Letter from Mother Teresa

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 Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mediatrix of All Grace

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