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.
