This past weekend, following a year of preparation and study at religious education classes taught by a dedicated cohort of volunteer catechists after the regular Sunday Mass at our parish, Mateo received his First Holy Communion. My husband Tim and I, Mateo’s godparents Deanna and David, and the rest of our extended family are so proud of Mateo! We’re proud of Olivia, too, for assisting the priest during the ceremony as one of the Mass’s three altar servers. In my day, girls weren’t permitted to serve at the altar (hence the phrase “altar boy”), so as a Catholic female I’m especially thrilled to witness Olivia’s participation.

(I’m just hoping I live long enough to see the day when women can be ordained as Catholic priests, but that’s another subject.)

Last month, I wrote a blog post about our search for Mateo’s Communion suit, which we purchased in Antigua, Guatemala. Of course I’m biased, but I think my son cuts a dashing and handsome figure in his new threads.

We’re very grateful to our parish priests, to the head of our church’s religious education program, and to all the volunteers who helped shepherd Mateo in his journey to receive this beautiful and ancient sacrament.

Congratulations, Mateo!

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Tags: Catholic families, children and sacraments, First Holy Communion, receiving First Holy Communion

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