Here is a novena which begins today, May 5 and ends on May 13, or you can start it on May 6 and end on May 14, Mother's Day. Bob and I will be praying it for our granddaughter, Ella Grace, who receives her First Holy Communion on May 14, 2023. Her sister, Hannah Marie made hers on May 22, 2016.
1. Ninth
Day Before Receiving First Holy Communion
Parents or Grandparents: Jesus, you love (name) very much. You saved (him, her)
from sin and death by dying on the cross and rising. Through baptism (he, she)
became God's child. In nine days you will come to (name) in Holy Communion.
Fill (him, her) with thanksgiving for this great gift. Let our prayers help
prepare (him, her) to receive you.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you. (You may say this prayer for
the child if the child is not close by.)
Eighth Day Before
Parents: Jesus, you died for our sins. We remember this in the Eucharist. In
eight days (name) will receive the Sacred Bread and Wine of Communion. This is
your Body and Blood that you gave for us. Keep (name) free from sin and full of
grace.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
Seventh Day Before
Parents: Jesus, by your death and rising you won everlasting life for us. In
seven days (name) will receive you, the risen Lord, in communion. Let (name)
always live so that someday (he, she) may be happy with you forever in heaven.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
Sixth Day Before
Parents: Jesus, in the Eucharist, you nourish the divine life we received in
baptism. In six days, (name) will receive you for the first time in Holy Communion.
Help (him, her) grow in love of you so that (he, she) lives as a true child of
God.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
Fifth Day Before
Parents: Jesus, in communion you come closer to us than anyone can ever be. As
our food and drink you become one with us. In five days, (name) will welcome
you in (his, her) heart. May (he, she) come to love you more and more each day.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
Fourth Day Before
Parents: Jesus, you want all your followers to be united in love. Through the
Eucharist you bind us all together in friendship and love. In four days, (name)
will be more closely joined to the Church through Holy Communion. Give (him,
her) the grace to be an active member of the Church.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
Third Day Before
Parents: Jesus, (name) was initiated into your Church at baptism. (He, She) is
looking forward to further initiation through the Eucharist. In three days
(name) will receive the sacrament of initiation. Make (him, her) a good
Catholic Christian, full of faith and love.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
Second Day Before
Parents: Jesus, in the Eucharist you make us more like you. In two days you
will come to (name) in communion. Enable (him, her) to be the person of
kindness, compassion, wisdom and courage that you were. Increase (his, her)
faith, hope and love.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
The Day Before
Parents: Jesus, tomorrow will be a great day of joy. (Name) will receive you in
Holy Communion for the first time. (He, She) will know how much you love us.
Bless (name) and make (him, her) a strong, loving Christian. May (name) always
long to receive you in the Blessed Sacrament. May (he, she) always appreciate
all you have done for us.
Child: Jesus, help me prepare my heart for you.
~ from
"The Gift of Holy Communion" prayer
