First Holy Communion

Before the Mass: -
ST MOTHER THERESA CHURCH, VIRAR
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
19 th November, 2017
(Communicant 1): We know that God is love and that He comes to us with
love. Today, we want to feel that love with all our hearts.
(Communicant 2): That is why we are waiting for the moment when we
finally receive our Lord Jesus in Holy Communion. We want to do it with great
faith and love. We therefore ask everyone to please pray for us.
Introduction: -
(Communicant 3)
Good morning and welcome for the occasion of our first holy communion.
The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an
intimate union with Christ Jesus. The Lord said: “He who eats my flesh and
drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” Life in Christ has its foundation
in the Eucharistic banquet: “As the living Father sent me, and I live because
of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.” Through it Christ
unites them to all the faithful in one body—the Church. Communion renews,
strengthens, and deepens the incorporation into the Church, already
achieved by baptism.
Now that this special day has come we are very happy to be able to start
sharing in the Eucharist i.e.; the body and blood of Christ. Our friendship with
Jesus began a long time ago, when we were little. Mum and Dad took us to
Church and we were baptized. In Baptism we become members of God's big
family that is called the Church. Now God is inviting us to share in this other
celebration of Holy Communion. To be one with him in his Body and Blood.
We thank you for sharing with us the joy of this special day and invite you to
pray for us during this Holy Mass that we may continue to be the friends of
Jesus now and all the days to come. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful: -
CELEBRANT: With faith, let us now present our petitions to God.
(Communicant 4): Let us pray for the Holy Church, may it feed us with the
word of God and the bread of the Eucharist which gives eternal life. Let us
pray to the Lord...
FAITHFUL: Lord, hear our prayer.
(Communicant 5): Let us pray for our parents, siblings, relatives and friends.
May they enjoy the gift of deep faith, health, peace of heart and joy of life.
Let us pray to the Lord...
FAITHFUL: Lord, hear our prayer.
(Communicant 6): Let us pray for all the priests, catechists, teachers, and
all who helped us in preparation for our First Confession and Holy
Communion, may God bless them and bestow upon them the gifts they need
for happiness and salvation. Let us pray to the Lord...
FAITHFUL: Lord, hear our prayer.
(Communicant 7): Let us pray for all of us who today, for the first time, will
receive the Lord Jesus in Holy Communion. May they love Him with all their
hearts and forever live faithfully. Let us pray to the Lord...
FAITHFUL: Lord, hear our prayer.
(Communicant 8): Let us pray for our dearly departed, may the good Lord
grant them mercy, forgiveness and full blessings in heaven. Let us pray to
the Lord...
FAITHFUL: Lord, hear our prayer.
(Communicant 9): Let us pray for all of us gathered here. May each of us
be grateful for the gift of the Eucharist, and experience with faith and love
the encounter with our Lord Jesus in Holy Communion. Let us pray to the
Lord...
FAITHFUL: Lord, hear our prayer.
CELEBRANT: Lord, accept these petitions, that with great faith, hope and
love we offer upon Your altar. You, who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.

PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS: -
During the procession for the presentation of the gifts, children designated
by the catechist will read brief comments, while those carrying the gifts will
present them to the celebrant. This will be followed by a hymn.
(Communicant 10): Lord, through Your goodness, the earth gives us bread.
Please, accept it and transform it into the Body of Your Son, so that we, thus
nourished, may have eternal life in heaven.
(Communicant 11): HOST
(Communicant 12): Lord, through Your goodness, the earth gives us the
fruits of the vine. Take this wine and transform it into the blood of Your Son,
so that we may drink of it and rejoice with the saints in heaven.
(Communicant 13): WINE AND WATER
(Communicant 14): Lord, may this lit candle remind us that Christ is among
us and that He loves us. Make each of us burn with love for You.
(Communicant 15): CANDLE
(Communicant 16): Lord, You have created a wonderful world, which
delights our eyes. Help us to act such that our lives are as beautiful as these
flowers.
(Communicant 17): FLOWERS
(Communicant 18): Lord, please accept this gift of our hearts, which we
offer together with our parents. It is an expression of our love and gratitude.
(Communicant 19): HEART
(Communicant 20): Jesus, you are bread for us. Jesus, you are life for us.
In your gift of Eucharist. We find your love for us.
(Communicant 21): BREAD

Before Communion: -
(Communicant 22):
Lord Jesus, thank you that in a moment You will come to us. We have longed
for You and waited for this moment, when you will come to dwell in us. I ask
that You to come and shower us with love, peace and the joy of God. Please
give us strength so that we may live the way You want us to, in friendship
with You and with every person.
(ALL CHILDREN): Amen.
After Communion: -
(Communicant 23):
Lord Jesus, You have come to us, as You once did to the apostles. You have
come in the form of bread and wine. You are now closer to us than ever
before. We will alway remember this day with joy. It is a unique day for us,
because from this day on, we can meet with You in church and receive You
during Holy Communion.
(Communicant 24):
This is why we thank You, Lord Jesus, with all our hearts. We know that
through the gift of Holy Communion we will deepen and strengthen our
friendship with You. We love You and we wish to express our gratitude
through a dance.