Second Grade First Communion Journey

A lot happens throughout the school year in Second Grade, but perhaps the most exciting and special moment is when each student receives Holy Communion for the first time!

Mrs. Allison Selden Grade 2

Our journey of preparation to receive the Gift of the Eucharist begins each year in January after we return from Christmas Break. We spend 5 months learning, discussing, reflecting and praying about the Gift of the Eucharist. We read and listen to Scripture stories, through each chapter in our textbook, that encourage us to think about God’s Word and why he has given us such an incredible Sacrament.

We also talk with each other in class, with our families at home and with God during guided prayer and reflection times about the things we are learning in our textbook, Scripture stories or Internet research. Together, we discuss answers to questions that arise throughout the course of our reading and listening.

Around mid-March, students are also invited to participate in the First Communion Retreat held in the Elementary wing on a Saturday. They spend 3-4 hours with a small group of classmates and Religious Education students, visiting various “rooms” to further their learning about God, Jesus and the Gift of the Eucharist.

 

There are many different activities that the students partake in, but each year the favorite is the “Bread Room.” In this room, the students are led through a re-enactment of The Last Supper and learn more about the Consecration and how sacred that portion of the Mass is. At the end of their re-enactment, each student has a chance to taste an unconsecrated host. They do this by practicing the different ways in which they can receive Communion.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to hand-make a beautiful glass bead rosary each year. This is been a long-standing Laker tradition in Second Grade and students look forward to making these rosaries with the help of a family member. Once all of the rosaries are completed, they are blessed by Father Delonnay or Father Brian at our First Communion Mass. 

 

Our journey of preparing to receive Holy Communion culminates with a whole class celebration at a First Communion Mass. Each student is encouraged to wear their First Communion outfit to school that day and be honored at a special Mass, with the rest of the elementary school in attendance. It is so special and memorable for the students to be able to celebrate having received this Sacrament with their classmates!

I feel so blessed each year during this Mass that I get to be a part of such an incredible moment in my students’ lives! Watching how their faith grows throughout the 5 months of preparation is amazing and I am so happy to be a part of it!