First Holy Communion With a Foreword by His Excellency Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci, Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya

Arising directly from a parent's need, this is a clear account of how a parent, or teacher, can prepare a child for First Holy Communion without talking down to or patronizing the child.

Mark Allen found no suitable published book to prepare his son for First Holy Communion. In the Roman Catholic Church, First Holy Communion is an event of the greatest significance, similar to confirmation in the Church of England or Bar Mitzvah for Jewish children. A lot of the material published is trite and worst of all tends to patronize the children for whom it is intended.

To help parents and teachers answer questions about the ceremony Mark Allen offers readings and background from scripture and catechism. Children are hardheaded and like stories and facts. The narrative of the Bible provides facts, events which happened, and along with them the objective truths of revelation.

The Mass is our sacramental encounter with the person of Jesus and instruction for First Holy Communion should therefore be centered on him and on the Gospel story of his life. Preparation should reflect the unity of the mass, its liturgy of the Word and the Eucharistic Rite - the mystery of Christ in our community as Church.

Routine is the key aid to progress. The course provided in this book is based on a series of half-hourly sessions for parents or teachers to hold with their child. It is both practical and down to earth.