Any baptised Catholic child can be admitted to the Sacraments of Confession (Reconciliation) and Holy Communion as soon as they are mature enough to receive these sacraments and have been properly prepared.

To receive Holy Communion, a child must have made their First Confession, and recognise that what they are receiving is something holy – it is the Body of Jesus Himself.

To make a valid Confession, a child has to have an understanding of the difference between right and wrong, and what it is to be sorry for making a wrong choice. A typical child will be able to do this around the age of 7

If your child has not yet been baptised, or was baptised in another Christian tradition but now wishes to become a Catholic, you will need to apply for this, and we will prepare them as an integral part of the First Communion Course.

If there are children in Year 7 or above to be presented for First Communion, special age-appropriate arrangements will need to be made.

Children who belong to Eastern/Oriental Orthodox Churches may also receive Holy Communion at St Philip Evans, at the age normal in their own tradition, due to our shared understanding of this Sacrament.

If parents wish a child to make First Communion elsewhere after following the preparation scheme in St Philip Evans, permission letters can be issued  for children who have attended Mass and the parish course regularly.

If another parish is willing to accept your child on to their preparation programme, or if you can demonstrate that you have personally prepared your child to attend Mass with reverence and understanding every weekend, then once the preparation is complete, you can apply for First Communion in this parish without attending the St Philip Evans course.