PARTICIPATION IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST FOR THE FIRST TIME

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24. For the administration of the Eucharist to children, it is required that they have sufficient knowledge and

       careful preparation so that they can understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity, and can

       receive the Lord with faith and devotion. (CIC 913, §1)
 

25. It is the responsibility of parents and those who take the place of parents as well as the pastor to see that

       children who have reached the use of reason are correctly prepared for the Eucharist as early as the third grade.

       First reception of the Eucharist is to be preceded by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation. (CIC 914)
 

26. The first celebration of the sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist for all chldren will ordinarily take place

       in the the third grade. A period of three months shall separate the celebration of first reconciliation from First

       Eucharist.
 

27. It is the responsibility of parishes to provide programs for all children and parents preparing for the celebration

       of first reconciliation and First Eucharist. (14)
 

28. Children who have completed programs of preparation for first reconciliation and First Eucharist in Catholic

       Schools are not required to participate in sacramental preparation classes in their home parish programs before

       the sacraments are celebrated.
       28.1. The Catholic school is also responsible for the parent‟s preparation program.
       28.2. A certificate, indicating that preparation for the sacraments has been provided at the school and that the

                  child and parents have completed the program of preparation, will be issued to the parents by the school

                  principal. This certificate is to be presented by the parents to the pastor of the child´s home parish. The

                  pastor is to accept this certificate as proof of preparation.
       28.3. Ordinarily, the celebrations of first reconciliaton and First Eucharist should occur in the child‟s home

                  parish. In special circumstances, permission may be granted (in writing) by the pastor of the home parish

                  for the celebration to take place elsewhere. (150
 

29. Children of catechetical age who are not baptized are to be prepared for the Sacraments of Initiation according

       to the RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS Part II. Rites for Particular Circumstances 1. Christian

       Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age.
 

30. Baptized Catholic adults who have not received First Eucharist should be prepared for the reception of the

       sacraments in the manner described in the RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS. Part II. Rites for

       Particular Circumstances. 4.Preparation of Uncatechized Adults for Confirmationand Eucharist. (See also

       Archdiocese of Santa Fe Confirmation Policy #17).
 

31. Whenever possible, First Eucharist should be received under both species following the norms given in #20

       above.

 

(14) If the parents have gone through similar instructions within the last two years, they do not need to repeat the
instructions again.
(15) Children attending a Catholic school in a parish other than their own proper parish should have the option of receiving First Eucharist with their classmates.