VERSION: 9 April 2002
ENROLMENT OF A CANDIDATE FOR FIRST COMMUNION
Before instruction in preparation for admission to the sacrament of the altar, the candidate may be enrolled. The following rite for the enrolment may be used or adapted.
RITE OF ENROLMENT
PRESENTATION
Before or after the prayer of the church in a service with holy communion, the parents and/or sponsors of the candidate bring the candidate forward and stand with him/her in the sanctuary.
WORD
The minister says to the candidate:
N, you are about to begin instruction to prepare you to receive the Lord's supper with us for the first time. St John says: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb'.
PRAYER
The minister says to the parents/sponsors and the congregation:
Let us pray for N and ask God the Father to open his/her heart to appreciate this holy sacrament.
The candidate kneels before the altar, and the parents/sponsors stand around him/her. The minister begins and ends the prayer; some of the parents/sponsors (or another assistant) may make the intervening or similar intercessions.
We thank you, holy Father, that you have adopted N as your child in holy baptism. Light up his/her mind by your Holy Spirit, so that he/she may listen to Jesus and accept his invitation to eat with us at his table.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We thank you that you have established this wonderful meal for us and all your people. Help N to believe and to understand that he/she will receive the life-giving body and blood of Jesus in this meal.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We thank you that you never leave us, even when we are uncertain about you. Help N to rely on you and to put his/her trust in your promises.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We thank you that you offer forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation to us through the body and blood of Jesus. Make N eager to receive Jesus as he gives himself and these gifts to him/her.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We thank you that you have given us this sacrament so that we can taste and see how good you are. Fill N with awe at your presence with us and joy in your goodness to all your people.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We thank you that you unite us with yourself and each other in holy communion. Encourage us to welcome and support N as a fellow guest with us at your table; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
BLESSING
The candidate stands and the minister says:
Jesus says: 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty'.
God the Father bless you as you prepare to eat and drink at the table of our Lord.
Amen.
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