Understanding First Communion

Being a Roman Catholic, preparing for a child's First Communion is a lot of work both for the parents and the pastor. There's more to a First Communion than pretty white dresses and family party. It is about understanding the reason for partaking in a Holy Sacrament and reliving the essence of it.

Traditionally, young Catholic children will do their first confession or the Sacrament of Penance a week before receiving their First Communion. The child will then do a penance for the sins confessed which are prayers that will be recited immediately after the confession. Of course proper understanding of the Sacrament is needed before the child is deemed ready in receiving the Holy Communion.

Did you know that we are supposed to fast an hour before partaking the body and blood of Christ? That means we should not eat before celebrating Mass.