Sacrament Preparation:
The Rome Model

​Preparing for the sacraments of reconciliation and first communion contains three elements: the Mass of Intention, the Communion Meditation Series, and the Retreat.

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Mass of Intention

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The priest reads the names of those children who will be part of the First Communion group for this year and presents them with a book of the Gospels (which they will bring to the Communion Meditation series). The names of these children are then placed on a roster in the prayer corner so that all the children can pray for them during their preparation and celebration of the sacraments.

 

The Communion Meditation Series

• During the Communion Meditation series the parents are given the same meditations, at the same time as the children’s meditations but not together with the children.  These are five gatherings outside (in addition to) the atrium time.  The sessions last for about one hour. 

• The Five Meditation revolve around the following:

  • True Vine I – John 15:1-11: “Remain in me! …” Emphasis is on the relationship between the vine and the branches, how each branch is born into the vine and the life giving sap that runs through it.

  • True Vine II – John 15:1-11: “…and you will bear much fruit.”  New emphasis is on the Vinedresser and the bearing of fruit.  Using the imagery of the parable, sin is introduced as a “block” to the flow of sap within the vine.  The joy of bearing fruit gives glory to the Vinedresser.

  • The Twin Parables of Mercy: The Found Sheep / The Found Coin – Luke 15:1-10: The freely given gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness is an occasion of celebration and rejoicing as seen in these two parables.

  • The Forgiving Father – Luke 15:11-24: The father and his prodigal son celebrate with a banquet!  What matters most is that the son returned.

  • The Centurion’s Servant – Matthew 8:5-13: We come to the banquet not because we are worthy but because the Good Shepherd calls us.  It is sheer gift.  “Happy are those who are called to his supper.”

 

The Retreat

• The retreat is a time for the children to enjoy fully in the perfect calm what has been achieved and to focus on the grandeur of the gift which is about to be received. The retreat lasts four days, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. 

• Essential elements of the retreat include time for prayer, work, play, handwork, daily Mass prepared by the children, and also the celebrations of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

• The celebration of First Reconciliation is solemnly linked to the baptismal signs of the white garment and the light, and, in the case of catechumens, of the celebration of baptism. 

• Reconciliation is based on the child’s reflection on the Maxims.

• The following day, after First Reconciliation, the children make their First Communion dressed in their white garments they have prepared at the retreat.  It is their robe for the banquet! The process into the Mass carrying their lit Baptismal candle. 

• After the First Communion Mass, the children return to the retreat for continued quiet and enjoyment of the gift. 

• Parents are invited to come to the Closing Prayer Service at the end of the final day of the retreat.

 

The catechesis continues in the years which follow first communion, returning to and enlarging upon themes already introduced and presenting other themes according to the new needs of the emerging developmental period.
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