Preparing
Your Child for Holy Communion
Include
your child(ren) in the Sunday Eucharist:
If
you are not ready for your child to receive the sacrament, let
her or him come with you to the Altar Rail, letting him or her
know, in advance, that he or she will be receiving a blessing
instead of the Bread and Wine. Have him or her cross arms on
their chest, as a sign of blessing. The child is urged to continue
this practice until the family is ready for the child to participate
fully in the Holy Meal, or until the child receives the Sacrament
of Holy Confirmation. The "receiving of a blessing"
is a traditional practice for those not-yet-confirmed and there
is nothing wrong with this practice, but it is important for
parents to know that spiritual damage may be done to those children
who are being denied reception week after week, if the parents
have not taken the time to explain to their children why they
wish them to wait for a future time.
No
matter when a child begins the practice of receiving the Blessed
Sacrament, the following instruction would be very helpful in
building on the experience of eucharistic worship:
a.
After the Liturgy talk with your child about what he or she
experienced, saw, and heard. What seemed important? What questions
does he or she have? Share your experience with your child.
b.
Walk around the church with your child. Begin your "tour"
at the Font (What happened there? What does baptism mean? and
conclude your "tour" at the Altar and Cross (Why are
they the central focus within the church?) What do they convey?
Also, you may let your child take you on the "tour"
and tell you what he or she already understands.
c.
Pray with your child that their lives may always be open to
God, his grace and love. And when you pray with your children,
place your hand on their head and bless them (making the sign
of the cross on their forehead, reminding them of their baptism,
their adoption into the Divine Life of God, and say:
In the
Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Related
link: Children and Holy
Communion
