What is taught in Catholic First Holy Communion class?

Answer 1

Although there are individual differences from diocese to diocese (and from one country to another) the requirements of the Catholic Church for First Communion candidates are minimal, but important.

• Children must be baptized. This is non-negotiable.
• Children should be at the 'age of reason', typically reckoned at around 7 years old in the US. The key discernment here is whether the child can recognize/understand the difference between common bread and the Eucharist. (If there is a significant learning disability, reception of Communion is often still possible, but discussion with the pastor will most often be necessary to properly discern this.)
• Children are to receive the Sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion-- the same standard of being at the "the age of reason" applies. This implies that the children know the difference between right and wrong and can recognize sin. If parents do not judge children of sufficient maturity for Reconciliation, one should doubt that the same child is sufficiently mature for Holy Communion.
• Pastors of children preparing for their First Holy Communion must see to it that they are receiving age-appropriate catechesis and preparation before being admitted to the sacrament. (There is a trend to include parents in the process as well, which is not unreasonable generally speaking.) Outside of a mandate from one's diocese, there is usually no definite standard for catechetical preparation. Indeed, this can be a point of contention for home schoolers and others. In the event that there is a disagreement with one's pastor and no mutually-satisfactory resolution, this matter should probably be respectfully referred to the bishop.
• ** There is a incredible variation on this point from parish to parish. Directors of Religious Education may insist of very complicated preparation programs over multiple years or there may be very little preparation at all. Both of these extremes are probably wrong. In any case, this is in the competence of the pastor of a particular parish to specify what will be expected in a particular parish.

While there are many cultural practices surrounding solemn First Communions, most of these elements cannot be demanded as an absolute requirement for one receiving Holy Communion. For instance, there is no requirement that young girls wear fancy white dresses or boys wear dark pants and red ties (even though everyone else may be doing so). Children do not necessarily need to receive as a "First Communion Class"-- indeed there are many good reasons NOT to do this in parishes. First Communion may be celebrated any day, any time of the year, although the Sundays of Easter are priviledged times. If parents find such expecations in their parish unreasonable, respectful discussion with parish staff may be necessary to resolve such matters.

In the Eastern Church, children are often given Holy Communion at the time of their baptism, which is their true "First Communion". No doubt this changes the dynamics of catechetical preparation before 'solemn Communion'.

Answer 2

In a Catholic First Holy Communion class, the basics are covered:

.

Basic prayers: Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Apostles Creed, Confiteor, Acts of Faith, Hope, Love, and Contrition, Morning Offering, the Angelus, the Regina Coeli, Hail Holy Queen, Prayers before and after meals.

.

Then the basic of the Christian religion are taught: the Creed, the Commandments, the Sacraments and Prayer. Of course all of this is taught on a level that they can understand, but it is amazing what a child can understand, and given a good, holy family life, they should know most of this even before they get to class, particularly their prayers. The class is just meant to cover anything that the parents miss and make sure that they are prepared to receive Our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist.

Answer 3

you need to know 18 prayers, know what the priest wears, the 4 parts of the mass, 7 sacraments, have done confession, and know I am not worthy