Sacramental Preparation
Every religion program should be an extension of the religious training of the home. Therefore, preparation for each of the sacraments includes the participation of the parents. Each sacramental preparation program begins with a parent meeting. At these meetings, the child’s religion class sessions, and the home instructional sessions, the theology of the sacrament is explained.
Formal preparation at school is given in Grade 2 for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Although these sacraments are formally taught in school at the grade level specified – parents, teacher, and/or pastor may decide it appropriate that a particular child receive a specific sacrament at an earlier or later age.
First Holy Communion
The Eucharist is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, tradition in the Church. And some have proclaimed that the Eucharist is Heaven on earth. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates Holy Communion every single day and holds it as the actual Body and Blood of Christ.
According to the Church, by the age of seven you have attained the age of reason. Many psychologists agree that seven is the average age by which children attain reason, and therefore this is an appropriate age for children to receive the Sacrament.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a Sacrament of healing by which we have precious grace restored. Examination of Conscience is a big part of making the most of the Sacrament.
In confessing to a priest we confess to a “servant of God” who acts in persona Christi (in the person of Christ) to grant forgiveness from Christ and reconciliation to the Church.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation restores us when, during the course of our life, we through sin fall from the grace we have received in our baptism. Serious sin cuts us off from God’s grace, while sacramental confession restores it.