Celebrating the Mass Lesson- Holy Communion

(This lesson is in accordance with the new Roman Missal that is to be implemented on November 27, 2011.)

*Be sure to adjust this lesson to fit the needs of your students.


(Please take in consideration that I am just a Mom and I'm providing these lessons and activities to the best of my abilities. I will try to make them as accurate as possible, but I know I will make a few mistakes and it was not intentional.)



After the distribution of the Holy Communion to the deacon, the Eucharistic Ministers, and altar servers the congregation may receive Holy Communion.

To receive Holy Communion we must be free from mortal sin. We also need to have the right intention and we need to obey the Church’s laws on fasting before receiving Holy Communion. We are required to fast from all food and drink except water for one hour before we receive Holy Communion. Taking medicine does not break the fast. Holy Communion may also be received without fasting when one is in danger of death.

As the people receive Communion, the communion song is sung. The unity of voices echoes the unity the Eucharist brings. All may spend some time in silent prayer of thanksgiving as well.

We stay kneeled until it is time for us to receive Holy Communion. We then walk slowly with our hands folded as we make our way to the priest or Eucharistic Minister. Remember to bow to show reverence for the Body and Blood of Christ when you stand before the priest or Eucharistic Minister.

*If you have not received first Holy Communion, hold your arms across your chest when you approach the priest to receive a blessing.


To receive the Body of Christ, you should hold your hand open with your other hand below it, making a throne for the Sacrament to be placed in. If on the tongue, open your mouth and extend your tongue in a respectful way allowing the Sacrament to be placed there before closing your mouth. Consume the Eucharist immediately.

Allow the Eucharistic Minister to present the cup to you. Never grab the cup from the minister’s hands. Use both hands to receive the cup. Drink a little and then hand the cup back to the minister.


Priest or Eucharistic Minister: The Body/Blood of Christ.

Each person: Amen


According to General Instruction of the Roman Missal #160: When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.


Although many people make the Sign of the Cross after receiving Communion, it is not required. After receiving the Eucharist, walk back to your seat in a respectful manner with your hands folded. When you come to your seat kneel to pray or for meditation.


When the distribution of Communion is over, the Priest or a Deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the chalice and also the chalice itself.

While he carries out the purification, the Priest says quietly:

What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,
may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.


Then priest may return to his chair and when he sits down the people can sit down. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.



Questions:

What must we be free of to receive Holy Communion? (We must be free from mortal sin.)

What must we do for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion? (Fast)

Does drinking water before receiving Holy Communion break the fast? (No)

Can a sick person take medicine any time before Holy Communion? (Yes)

When can someone receive Holy Communion without fasting? (When one is in danger of death.)

What does a Eucharistic Minister do? (They help the priest administer [give out] the Body and Blood of Christ.)

What do we do until it is time for us to receive Holy Communion? (We kneel.)

What do you do when you stand before the priest or Eucharistic Minister before you receive Holy Communion? (You bow to show reverence for the Body and Blood of Christ.)

What do you do if you have not received first Holy Communion? (Hold your arms across your chest when you approach the priest or Eucharistic Minister to receive a blessing.

Do you consume the Eucharist immediately or can you wait until you go back to your seat? (You consume the Eucharist immediately.)

What do you say after the priest or Eucharistic Minister says, “The Body/Blood of Christ.” (“Amen”)

What do you do after you have received the Body and Blood of Christ? (Walk back to your seat and kneel to pray or for meditation.)



Crafts:

Jesus in the Holy Eucharist Craft The Catholic Toolbox




catholicinspired.design- Jesus in the Eucharist ~ Art Project

catholicicing.com- Host and Chalice Craft for Kids

catholicicing.com- Craft a Monstrance with a Gold Doily

catholicicing.com- True Presence In The Eucharist- Printable Craft For Catholic Kids



Make a Holy Communion Banner:

orientaltrading.com- Holy Communion Banner Craft Kit
You can buy this or get ideas from it to make your own.

manylittleblessings.com- First Communion Banners
Lots of ideas on how to make banners.

manylittleblessings.com- 55 Examples of Catholic First Communion Banners



Games:


These games below are free, however they can only to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on these games are not my own and are from various internet sources.







The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (file folder game)- Students collect the most tokens by answering questions correctly about the Sacrament of the Eucharist.








Holy Eucharist Bingo- Students play regular bingo, but they answer questions about the Holy Eucharist.



Lessons:

Lesson 26: The Holy Eucharist (The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism, No. 1, page 124-128). For younger students.

Lesson 26: The Holy Eucharist (The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism, No. 2, page 162-167). For older students.

sophiainstituteforteachers.org- In the Mass Jesus Gives Us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist (lesson)

olrl.org- Lesson 22: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion)

scborromeo.org- Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Sacrament of the Eucharist

thereligionteacher.com- Catholic Thanksgiving Day Lesson Plans on the Eucharist as Thanksgiving (lessons for elementary, middle school, and high school)

hrsjyouth.com- Lesson 4: The Liturgy of the Eucharist (True Presence)



Puzzles:

4catholiceducators.com- Holy Communion - Wordsearch Puzzles

reallifeathome.com- Holy Communion Word Search Printable {Perfect for First Communion Students}

mycatholicsource.com- Holy Eucharist (word search)

reallifeathome.com- Holy Communion Crossword Puzzle

saintagnescatholicchurch.files.wordpress.com- Holy Communion Crossword Puzzle



These puzzles below are free, however they can only to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on these puzzles are not my own and are from various internet sources.


Holy Communion- (word scramble)

Holy Communion- (crossword)
For younger students you can do this together on the board.



Worksheets:

reallifeathome.com- Holy Communion and Reconciliation Worksheet and Activity Packet


This worksheet is free, however it is only to be used for classroom and personal use. It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on this worksheet are not my own and are from various internet sources.

Eucharist worksheet- Follow the directions and fill in the blanks to find out what the message says below.