David's First Communion and the Story of a Little Providential Book


This past Sunday our David had the incomparable gift of making his First Holy Communion! I have pictures to remember the day but first I need to share a story, if only so that this fickle heart of mine doesn't forget how He moves.

It was just a few weeks before he was set to make his First Holy Communion and I wasn't quite sure his heart was ready. We had been doing some of the things we try to do to help our kids prepare for such a special day. Adoration time, Confession, teaching, and more. But it just didn't seem like enough and I wondered whether we were failing, whether there was more he needed. On one of those mornings around that time I needed to make a quick stop to pick something up at the Carmelite monastery nearby. I bravely ventured out with all the boys, mostly because I needed to get it done and had no choice. But also because while it definitely makes the experience at one of my favorite places a bit less meditative, I really want them to visit there once in a while and soak in the palpable grace of that place (if only for a few minutes before the toddler has had enough of this ridiculous silence business). So I brought them. We hustled inside on yet another windy, frigid, and disappointingly chilly morning like so many before it, the ones that had been progressively dulling my energy and motivation for months. 


We spent a few minutes in their humble little office/store first - literally a tiny room just down the hall from the chapel with a few bookshelves hosting things like prayer cards made by the nuns, out of print books, and fifty cent scapulars. The boys browsed, comparing medals and debating whether splurging on the better scapulars was really worth it, while I picked up the things I needed from the secretary. He found a book on the shelf and brought it to me excited, wondering if we could get it. I was frazzled with keeping the octopus toddler on my lap from knocking things over, writing a check, making small talk with the secretary all the while making sure I didn't forget any of the things that were the whole purpose of the trip. I distractedly nodded that he could add it to the pile of devotionals to take home. It was only a few dollars and the loss wouldn't be huge if his enthusiasm turned out to last a few hours (which, honestly, was kind of what I was expecting). 

It wasn't until we got home a few hours later that I really looked at what he had chosen. 


We were probably too late to start it, I thought. Sigh. Figures. Oh well, maybe he'll read some of it anyway and something's better than nothing. And then I took a moment to count the days. That very day we went to the convent and spotted that book and made that unplanned and haphazard purchase was exactly 40 days before his First Communion. God, you are so good. 

Every morning from that day on, he did his little reflection in the morning on his own before getting out of bed. Every day he counted up the "flowers" he earned through the prompts in the book and wrote them down. I didn't have anything to do with it and he kept it up completely on his own. I won't pretend that he suddenly transformed into a saint but that little book was proof to me once again that God is living and active in my children's lives and loves them infinitely more than I ever can. It may not seem like much of anything to an outsider but it was yet another reminder needed to this forgetful mother's heart that they're His first and that He knows exactly what they need. He's a better parent than I could ever hope to be. He so very often makes up for the many ways that I lack and desires their hearts for Himself outside of my failures, my distractions, and my own limitations. And my girl Therese is pretty on top of things as well.

With that divinely ordained assistance came a lot more confidence that he really was ready for such a big day.

A week before the boys were asked to serve at the cathedral and this little man decides he also needed to straight up ask the bishop for a pre-First Communion blessing! 

Before the big morning!



He made it with several other children from our homeschool group at the other cloistered monastery in our city. You can hear the nuns behind the grill singing and it's so beautifully reverent. I love that they ask that no pictures be taken during the Mass. There's one designated photographer from our group that should have a few pictures from the Mass to share with us. 

The two littles did not do all that well at the Mass, unfortunately. But we made it through and Jesus was received and I did my ugly cry as the kids made their consecration to Mary and afterward as I hugged my sweet and so very proud and excited boy outside.



He insisted on using the champagne glass for his juice :)



A simple but nice spread! The weather didn't choose to cooperate (story of this year). It poured in the morning and was gray and sprinkly the rest of the day. At least not snowing?

Toasting David and Jesus :)


He designed his cake a few weeks before and told me what he wanted - a white circle cake (like the Eucharist) with a gold chalice and host above it. His name in Hebrew and Latin means "beloved of the Lord" so I put that on, too.

Just a few days before I decided to make these sweet favors for our guests. Thank you, Amazon for delivering this mold straight to our door in less than two days flat. It came with little favor bags included.

The cards I made years ago for my oldest's First Communion (I shared them here free if you'd like to print some yourself but I think you might need a Scribd account to access them now.) On the back they thank our guests for coming.

He was very proud and so attentive to making sure every one got one as they left!


Jesus, thank you for the incredible privilege of watching my own children know and receive You in Your very Flesh and Blood. Thank you for feeding them with Your very Self. There is nothing on earth that can compare. Thank you to all of you, too, that prayed for our David before his special day!

6 comments

  1. Glory be to Him who does infinitely more than we ask or imagine! (Eph 3:20) His Provident care is amazing and always worthy of our trust. What a blessed boy you have there! Deo Gratias!

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  2. Just lovely! Thank you for sharing your story!

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  3. I loved the entire post but my favorite part was: "I didn't have anything to do with it". Preparing a child for First Communion also means recognizing that at some point it will be just between Jesus and that child. You did well! And that cake looks lovely.
    PS: Where can I find that book?

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    1. Thank you! The info on the back of the book reads: Parish and Basilica of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Via Volturno 1-37135 Verona, telephone: +39045500266 www.basilicasantateresa.net, rivistasantateresa@gmail.com

      I hope that's helpful!

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  4. Smiled and smiled to think of D marching up to the Bishop asking for a blessing :-)

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  5. "Jesus, thank you for the incredible privilege of watching my own children know and receive You in Your very Flesh and Blood. Thank you for feeding them with Your very Self. There is nothing on earth that can compare." SPOT ON! Thank you! 👌🏻

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