How the First Communion Mass works

In this article we will explain how the Mass of a first communion in the Catholic religion works. The first communion is celebrated in a solemn mass, which differs from a common mass because it is dedicated especially for the child who will receive Jesus Christ for the first time. It consists of two major parts, the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist, which we explain to you from .com so that you can see the functioning of a First Communion Mass. Source: catholic.net

The Liturgy of the Word

Entrance The priest goes to the atrium of the church and pronounces some words of welcome for the child. This entrance is a symbol of the welcome that the whole People of God, represented by friends and relatives, gives to the child as a member of the Church. In front of the assembly will be the parents and godparents of the child, since they were the ones who introduced him to the Christian life in Baptism, made the baptismal promises in his name and committed themselves to educate him in the faith. The First Communion of their son and godson is a step they take in fulfilling that commitment. The readings In the Mass of a First Communion, the readings, the psalm and the Gospel can be selected in advance by the child and his parents. Generally, passages are chosen that allude to the Eucharist: the first Eucharistic meetings of the apostles, the allegory of the vine, or those in which Jesus speaks specifically of the Eucharist. However, there is the possibility that any other passage is selected according to the realities that the child or his family is going through at that moment. The child should listen carefully to the readings, being aware that it is God himself He is speaking to you in a personal way and with a specific message for him. Homily In a Mass of First Communion, the homily is totally addressed to the child and his family. The priest explains the content of the readings and the meaning of the sacrament that the child is about to receive, but will do so in a language accessible to the child. The child should listen carefully. Renewal of the baptismal promises At the end of the Homily, the child will stand with his parents and godparents and the renewal of the promises of Baptism will be carried out. At this moment the candle is lit with the Paschal candle. The prayer of the faithful At this moment the assembly stands up to ask together and loudly to God for the fidelity and holiness of the child who will make his First Communion . You can also ask for things that interest the whole Church: the Pope, the sick and the poor, but you can take advantage of this moment to ask for the specific needs of the family of the child who makes the first communion . These particular requests must be drafted in advance by the child and their parents. The child can choose the people he wants to make these requests at the head of the Church. The Creed All the attendees speak up and out loud the prayer of the Creed in which all the truths of the Catholic faith are summarized in twelve articles. The child who makes the First Communion confirms his faith in front of all those present.

The Eucharistic liturgy

The offertory In this part of the Mass, the child who makes First Communion takes the offerings, bread and wine to the altar, and the priest presents them to God offering them to become the Body and Blood of Christ. The consecration It is the most solemn moment of the Mass in which the real transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ takes place. God makes himself present and manifests his great love by accepting again the sacrifice of his Son so that the child who makes his First Communion will become closely united to him. Communion is the culminating moment of the ceremony, in which the child finally will receive Jesus Christ under the species of bread and wine. The priest approaches the child and pronounces the words "The Body and Blood of Christ" to which the child responds "Amen, " demonstrating his faith in the sacrament and receiving in his tongue the consecrated host dipped in wine. After the communion the sacred silence is kept, in which the child enters into an intimate conversation with Jesus Christ, thanking him for everything he has received: life, faith, his family, the precious gift of the Eucharist; asking forgiveness for all the occasions when he did not behave as a worthy son of God and fell into sin and asking for the necessary graces to be a better Christian every day. This prayer must always end with a concrete purpose of life improvement. The final blessing The ceremony ends with the Blessing, which on the occasion of First Communion is performed in a more solemn way than usual. In it, the priest will ask God to bless especially the child and his family so that he will give them the necessary graces to live fully their fidelity as children of God and members of the Church.