Sacramental Preparation
First Penance and First Holy Communion Preparation
The Arlington Diocese requires a two-year preparation period for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion. The preparation for these sacraments is normally started in the 1st Grade. Students receive First Penance and First Holy Communion towards the end of the 2nd Grade. New students at the 2nd Grade level must have had one year of catechesis or pass a placement test.
Note to Parents/Guardians of students grade 3 through 8 who have not received the sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion and who are older than the grade level in which these sacraments are normally received: You will be given instructions and the materials needed to help you prepare your child for these two sacraments.
At the time of registration, each student preparing for First Penance and First Holy Communion will receive the following:
Rite of Penance – Please use this with your child to practice “going to Confession.” Have him/her recite the Act of Contrition every day. Your child will be given an oral assessment before the scheduled date of First Penance to determine if he/she is ready to receive the sacrament.
Examination of Conscience – Please review and have your child use the examination to help him/her determine the sins they have committed – in thought, word, action, or omission (failing to do a good work that should have been done). It is good to get your child into the habit of examining the conscience every night.
Students at the High School level who have not received First Penance and First Holy Communion must attend the RCIA classes on Saturday mornings to receive special instruction and to prepare for these sacraments.
Confirmation
Confirmation is administered to students at the end of the 8th Grade after they have completed a full course of study at the 6th and 7th grade levels. New students who wish to enter the 8th Grade will be given an assessment to determine their proper grade placement.
The requirements for students in the FIRST YEAR of preparation are:
- Completed Sponsor Form
- Completed Confirmation Patron Saint Q & A
- Sacramental Enrollment Promise signed by student and a parent.
- Half an hour of adoration each week
- Year-end assessment with a passing grade of 75% or above.
The requirements for students in the SECOND YEAR of preparation are:
- Must be able to recite the Our Father and the Apostles Creed
- One hour of adoration each week
- Attendance at the Confirmation Retreat
- Year-end Assessment with a passing grade of 75% or above.
Parents/guardians are required to attend the Confirmation meeting (see Religious Education calendar).
Students at the High School level who have not been confirmed must attend the RCIA classes on Saturday mornings to receive special instruction and to prepare for this sacrament.
