Office of Religious Education, Diocese of Erie, Pa.

Catechesis for Baptism is directed primarily to adults: that is, catechumens…as well as the parents and godparents of infants who are to be baptized…This preparation is an especially important opportunity for the Church to encourage the parents and godparents of infants to reexamine the meaning of the Christian message in their own lives. (National Directory for Catechesis, #36-Catechesis for the Particular Sacraments)

Since the family is intimately involved with the formation of a child’s moral conscience and ordinarily integrates the child into the wider ecclesial communities, parents should be involved in the preparation of their children for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation so that they can affirm and reinforce frequent participation in the sacraments. (National Directory for Catechesis, #36-Catechesis for the Particular Sacraments)

Children’s preparation for first reception of the Eucharist begins in the home. The family has the most important role in communicating the Christian and human values that form the foundation for a child’s understanding of the Eucharist. Children who participate with their family in the Mass experience the Eucharistic mystery in an initial way and gradually learn to join with the liturgical assembly in prayer. (National Directory for Catechesis, #36-Catechesis for the Particular Sacraments.)

Parent(s)/guardian(s), the primary educators of their children, are to be intimately involved in the catechesis for first Reconciliation, first Eucharist and Confirmation. This helps parent(s)/guardian(s) renew and strengthen their own faith, and enables them to serve as a positive faith example for their children. (Religious Education Handbook, Sections 610, 620 & 630)

Parishes must provide a minimum of one meeting with parents prior to the child’s celebration of first Reconciliation and prior to the child’s celebration of first Eucharist. (Religious Education Handbook, Sections 610 & 620)

Resources for further reading or viewing

Check with your parish religious education leader to see what is available in your parish.

Online Resources

Twenty-third Publications:

Liguori Publications:

On left hand side of home page find “Browse Categories.” Under “Browse Categories”, scroll down and click on “Sacraments”, then click on whichever sacrament you are looking for.