When can children receive holy communion?
In the Church of England, the usual pattern of Christian life is:
Baptism → Confirmation → Receiving Holy Communion.
However, because Confirmation is often celebrated when people are older, many churches now admit baptised children to Holy Communion before they are confirmed.
This allows children who are part of the church family to share fully in the Eucharist, receiving the bread and wine as a sign of Christ’s love for them.
Who can prepare for a first holy communion?
- Children need to be baptised first. Usually children would be prepared for First Holy Communion between the ages of 7 and 9.
- Parents and carers should feel confident that their child has begun to understand what it means to follow Jesus and to share in the bread and wine at the Lord’s table.
- Admission to Communion before Confirmation always takes place with the permission of the bishop.
- At the end of the course, children would also be prepared (if parents give consent) to make a first confession prior to receiving their first communion.
Preparing for Communion
If your child is interested in making a First Holy Communion, we would run a short course of 4–5 weeks after the Sunday service for children who would like to be admitted to Communion.
- The sessions are simple and engaging, helping children explore what Communion means, why we do it, and how it links with baptism, confession and confirmation
- Parents and carers are encouraged to be part of this journey too.
Confirmation later on
Being admitted to Holy Communion as a child is not instead of Confirmation. When children are older, they will still be invited to make their own public affirmation of faith in the service of Confirmation, usually led by the bishop.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more about First Holy Communion for your child, please get in touch with us. We would be delighted to talk with you.
