Since Sacramental Celebration is a Faith community event and since the family is the core of the Faith community, sacramental preparation needs to take place in both settings. Parents are primary educators of their children in developing their image of who God is, in developing their relationship with God and in seeing the place God has in their everyday lives. The Church, the larger Faith community is responsible for supporting parents in nurturing their child’s Faith in providing ongoing catechesis in doctrine developed through Scripture and Tradition. It is an awesomely wonderful venture of relationship!
General Requirements for Sacramental Preparation
for First Communion and First Reconciliation
According to Canon law #914 and to the norms of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, First Reconciliation is to be celebrated prior to First Communion. Ultimately, parents are the primary decision makers concerning their child’s readiness for immediate preparation and celebration of Reconciliation or Communion.
§ Children age seven or older
§ Attendance weekly at Sunday Mass
§ Participation in Religious Education classes or Catholic school for at least the prior year before beginning immediate preparation
§ At least four months between immediate preparation classes and celebration of First Reconciliation and First Communion
§ Parent participation in a session for immediate preparation
§ Parent and child participation in at least one evening of learning centers
Process of Preparation for First Reconciliation…
§ Children continue to attend regular Religious Education classes or Catholic School, where they continue to learn Catholic teaching on the sacrament of Reconciliation. This sacrament is studied every year according to the child’s ability to comprehend sin, its consequences in relationship and God’s forgiveness.
- Parents attend a session on Reconciliation:
- To focus on our adult understanding of this sacrament,
- How to relate everyday family life to the meaning of Reconciliation
- and to obtain materials to work with their children at home for immediate preparation.
- Parents and children participate in one evening of using learning centers to focus on the meaning and rituals within the celebration of Reconciliation.
Readiness Signs for First Reconciliation…
§ Children are beginning to experience a sense of guilt.
§ Children are beginning to hold a grudge.
§ Children have a basic understanding of forgiveness,being sorry and trying to do better.
§ Children are beginning to make a distinction between deliberate and accidental actions.
Process of Preparation for First Communion….
§ Children continue to attend regular Religious Education classes or Catholic school, where they continue to learn Catholic teaching on the sacrament of Eucharist. This sacrament is studied every year according to the child’s ability to comprehend Real Presence in the Eucharist, the Sacrifice of Jesus, and being sent to live the Eucharist.
§ Parents attend a session on Eucharist:
o To focus on our adult understanding of this sacrament,
o How to relate everyday family life to the meaning of Eucharist
o And to obtain materials to work with their children at home for immediate preparation.
§ Parents and children participate in two evenings: one evening they use learning centers to focus on the meaning and rituals within the celebration of Eucharist, and one evening they focus on the particulars of celebrating First Communion.
Readiness Signs for First Communion…
§ Children are beginning to express a love for Jesus through prayer and active participation in Sunday Mass
§ Children are beginning to express an understanding of Jesus’ presence in Eucharist
§ Children are expressing a need for a greater sense of belonging through full participation at the Table of the Lord.
