First Communion

First Communion Card Kit - Thank You Cards from Illuminated Ink

The First Communion Card Kit Thank You Cards come in packs of five, ten or twenty cards. The front of the card has a lattice work window with a design underneath. This card is unique in that the kit includes pieces of colored cellophane for the window panes to create a stained glass effect. Inserts for under the window include the words “Thank You” along with an inspirational picture of wheat, grapes, and a host for the child to color. This insert works as both a backdrop for the window and a blank inside for the card.

Come to Jesus! A Kid’s Book for Eucharistic Adoration

Author(s): 
Anne Flanagan, FSP

Cultivating a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament through Eucharistic Adoration is an excellent way to keep children Catholic. Those who love Jesus in the Sacrament are less likely to leave Him and will have a lifelong joy in His presence. But, from my own experience taking my children to Adoration, it does take planning and preparation. What is a young child to think, say, and do while sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament for a whole hour? This book gives some practical suggestions in the form of planned outlines for three different Adoration hours.

Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism

Book cover: 'Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism'

This beautifully illustrated (in full-color) gem is designed to prepare a child for First Communion and would be appropriate for Kindergarten through second grade. The text follows the Baltimore Catechism, but also includes basic prayers, parts of the Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. In a few places, the explanations given to expand upon the Baltimore Catechism are not as well-written as I'd like them to be, but for the most part they are quite good.

My Path to Heaven

Book cover: 'My Path to Heaven'
Author(s): 
Geoffrey Bliss, S.J.
Illustrator(s): 
Caryll Houselander

This is one of the nicest educational materials I've come across (and I think that's saying a lot). What this book amounts to is a simplified form of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, designed to be understood by children. This is cleverly done with a very detailed picture for each of the twelve chapters. The child studies the details of the pictures and then the parent or the child reads the text (two or three pages) which explains the details of the pictures. The child is then invited to look at the picture again.

The King of the Golden City

Book cover: 'The King of the Golden City: An Allegory for Children'
Author(s): 
Mother Mary Loyola

This is a simple, old-fashioned allegory about our relationship with Jesus and our journey to heaven (the "King" and the "Golden City"). The story is about a girl named Dilecta who struggles in the "Land of Exile" to keep her "hut" in order in order to be prepared for the King's visits, keep her "lamp" of peace burning brightly and control "Self", and listen to her "Prince Guardian" who helps to keep her out of the snatches of Malignus.

Jesus and I

Book cover: 'Jesus and I'
Author(s): 
Father Aloysius J. Heeg, S.J.

Jesus and I remains a delightful catechism used to prepare both older and younger children for their First Confession and First Holy Communion. In use for decades, the content is solid yet presented in a manner that is clear and usable with young students. Gentle black and white drawings appeal to more sensitive and/or younger children who shy away from more graphic pictures in modern texts.

First Eucharist Story-Coloring Book

Book cover: 'First Eucharist Story-Coloring Book'

This book presents a beautiful way to introduce children to the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. The text is adapted from The Child in the Church by Maria Montessori. The story on each page presents fodder for discussion as the child colors in the beautiful borders which are rich in Catholic symbolism. My daughter loves to have me color with her - so we've colored in the pictures together as we discuss the content. Also included are information on how to use the book, explanations of symbols, and questions to help in discussing each page.

First Communion Days

Book cover: 'First Communion Days'

This book consists of twelve true stories of children preparing for and receiving their first Holy Communion.The stories are sweet and inspiring and present many fine examples of real devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and how real children themselves made their hearts ready for Jesus. Some of the stories are of "little saints" who always strove to do what was right, while others involve children who struggled to overcome tempers, selfishness and other temptations. Two particularly touching stories are about children who received their first communion on their death bed.

First Communion

Book cover: 'First Communion'

Companion to First Confession from Our Lady's Catechists.

In a style very similar to its companion volume, this little book teaches everything that an elementary-school-aged child needs to know to prepare for a holy First Communion. These books may be the first "homeschooling" books ever written on this topic! From page 1: "It should not be forgotten that the ultimate responsibility for the child's spiritual upbringing rests on the parents." Charming full-color illustrations appear throughout the book.