First Communion

56 second and third graders received their First Communion at the 10am Mass today. Another fourteen, starting at 2nd grade, received their First Communion at the noon Mass. It is a pretty awesome experience to witness that many people participating in the Sacrament for the first time. There were more than 800 people in Mass at 10am. It was wall to wall people, all the way to the back of the balcony.

Each of the kids played an instrumental role in the Mass. The Mass opened with a number of the kids playing piano pieces. Then, ten kids each brought a rose forward to be placed in a vase on the altar. All of the children were escorted down the center aisle by their parents. They bowed at the front before they turned and walked to their pews.

The first two readings were done by five of the First Communicants. Then another eight read the Prayers of the Faithful. After the homily, the altar was dressed. I think that is my favorite part of the Mass. The transition from bare wood to ready to serve the Eucharist brings tears to my eyes.

They received their First Communion as family units, each child flanked by both parents. They returned to their pews. At the end, all of the First Communicants stood on the altar and sang their First Communion song before they were dismissed two by two. It was truly awe-inspiring.