Receiving of a child’s First Holy Communion is one of the most special moments of a child’s year in Second Grade. Valle Catholic’s 2nd Graders received the Eucharist for the first time on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Church of Ste. Genevieve after much preparation from their teachers Pam Basler and Teresa Meere.
Photo Courtesy of Portrait Gallery
At a special school Mass the Pastor of Ste. Genevieve, Father Dennis Schmidt assisted by Deacon John Meere presented each 2nd Grader with a Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The scapular stands for a commitment to follow Jesus, like Mary, the perfect model of all the disciples of Christ.
Wearing the scapular reminds the children of the example of the saints of Carmel and will remind them how to be guided by faith, hope, and love. It will help them to be close to the needs of others.
Many popes and saints have strongly recommended wearing the Brown Scapular to the Catholic Faithful, including St. Robert Bellarmine, Pope John XXII, Pope Pius Xl, and Pope Benedict XV.
Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) received the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel when he was about 10 years old. When he was shot and operated on in 1981, he told doctors not to remove the brown scapular he was wearing.
A First Communion Blessing
May you always feel as close to Jesus as you to today,
May you always count on Him to gently guide you on your way…
May you always trust in God to answer every single prayer,
May you always feel Him blessing you with tender, loving care.