Preparation for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion is a two year process. If your child was not able to receive the sacraments at the usual time, please contact dff@saintagnes.org.
Sacramental Steps: Milestones in the Life of God’s Grace
Just as in our day-to-day life there are milestones which mark our growth toward adulthood, God has given us Sacraments as milestones and helps to nourish us and encourage us throughout our life on earth and to prepare us to receive greater joy in heaven our homeland.
Sacraments are physical, visible signs of God’s invisible grace and love. They’re symbolic actions and objects which actually make real what they signify. For example, Baptism is a real washing with real water, but it’s also a cleansing of our soul which redeems us from sin and makes us partakers of God’s own life.
God gives us different Sacraments to help us know Him and His redemptive love for us throughout our lives, from the beginning in Baptism to the end with Anointing of the Sick.
We want to help you and your children to celebrate these Sacraments as fully and fruitfully as possible. Thus we’ve prepared Sacramental Preparation programs for several of the major milestones after Baptism: First Confession (sometimes called Reconciliation or Penance), First Holy Communion (Holy Eucharist), and Confirmation.
If you have any questions or concerns about our programs or need to submit forms found on the left, please don’t hesitate to contact our Religious Education Office via email at dff@stagnes.org or by phone at 703-525-1166.
Sacramental Program Details:
First Confession and First Holy Communion
Typically, First Confession and First Holy Communion are celebrated when children reach their 2nd grade year. Children who are candidates to receive the Sacraments of Confession or Holy Communion are required to spend at least two years of preparation by registering at our Religious Education Program or by enrolling at Saint Agnes School. Non-St. Agnes school families must enroll their children in the Saint Agnes Religious Education program by filling out the necessary registration / application forms, paying the fees and uploading / emailing the required documents by using this link:
In addition to the RE registration, all students (both school and RE students) must apply in a separate Sacramental Preparation Program for Year 2 First Communion students.
Please see the First Penance/First Communion Packet for more information.
- First Penance/Confession always precedes reception of First Holy Communion, as St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians that we should make sure to receive the Eucharist only if we are right before God. Since Confession is the Sacrament which makes us right before God, it comes before First Communion. First Confessions at Saint Agnes are typically celebrated in the late winter or early spring months.
- First Holy Communion is typically celebrated in the spring of each year, after First Confessions. Our program of formation aims to ensure that the children appreciate who they truly receive in the Eucharist: Jesus Christ Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity..
- If your child was unable to receive the sacraments at the usual age or grade level, please contact Lisa Orosa about the Special Sacraments program.
HELPFUL LINKS:
- Why go to Confession & other related articles (Straight Answers #1, p. 182, 186, 190, 193
- How Do You Go To Confessions
- Mortal VS Venial Sin
- Do You Have to go Only with Moral Sin
- Seal of Confession
- First Penance Before First Communion
- Fast Before Communion
- How Often Can You Receive Communion
- Real Presence in Eucharist
- Wheat Allergy & Eucharist
- Eucharist Miracle in Lanciano
- Eucharistic Miracle & Corpus Christi
- You are Forgiven Video
- You are Loved Video
- Blessed Series
RESOURCES FOR CURRENT FIRST COMMUNION FAMILIES: