First Holy Communion: With a Foreword by His Excellency Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci, Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya

Mark Allen found no suitable published book to prepare his son for First Holy Communion. In the Roman Catholic Church, First Holy Communion is an event of the greatest significance, similar to confirmation in the Church of England or Bar Mitzvah for Jewish children. A lot of the material published is trite and worst of all tends to patronise the children for whom it is intended. To help parents and teachers answer questions about the ceremony Mark Allen offers readings and background from scripture and catechism. Children are hard-headed and like stories and facts. The narrative of the Bible provides facts, events which happened, and along with them the objective truths of revelation. The Mass is our sacramental encounter with the person of Jesus and instruction for First Holy Communion should therefore be centred on him and on the Gospel story of his life. Preparation should reflect the unity of the mass, its liturgy of the Word and the Eucharistic Rite - the mystery of Christ in our community as Church. Routine is the key aid to progress. The course provided in this book is based on a series of half-hourly sessions for parents or teachers to hold with their child. It is both practical and down to earth.