First Holy Communion Preparation Themes, Dates and Time

1st Preparation Mass (The Rosary) - Saturday 21st October, 2023 - 7 PM (St Martin's NS & Scoil Maelruain JNS)

2nd Preparation Mass (In November we remember) - Saturday 11th November, 2023 - 7 PM  (St Martin's NS & Scoil Maelruain JNS)

3rd Preparation Mass (Advent) - Saturday 3rd December, 2023 - 7 PM (St Martin's NS & Scoil Maelruain JNS)

4th Preparation Mass (Baptism) - Saturday 13th January, 2024 - 7 PM (St Martin's NS & Scoil Maelruain JNS)

5th Preparation Mass (Reconciliation) - Saturday 10th February, 2024 - 7 PM (St Martin's NS & Scoil Maelruain JNS)

6th Preparation Mass (Do this in memory of me) - Saturday 9th March, 2024 - 7 PM (St Martin's NS & Scoil Maelruain JNS)

7th Preparation Mass (Prayer) - Saturday 20th April, 2024 - 7 PM (St Martin's NS & Scoil Maelruain JNS)

8th Holy Mass - Post First Holy Communion (Living as followers of Jesus) - Saturday 8th June, 2024 - Solemnity of Corpus Christi 

Most children receive their First Communion when they are seven or eight years of age because this is considered the age of reason. This means that most children are usually in second class in school when they make their First Holy Communion. In order to receive communion the recipient should be without sin and in a state of grace. Traditionally, therefore young Catholic children will make their first confession, i.e. the Sacrament of Reconciliation some days or weeks before receiving their First Holy Communion. The Sacrament of Baptism must also have been received before receiving the First Communion

First Confession/Reconciliation will be celebrated in the schools during the school day at a date to be decided.