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Sacramental Life

First Reconciliation and Holy Communion

Rooted in Dominican Tradition

Formed in the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dominican Friar and Doctor of the Church, as well as the Magisterium of the Catholic Church regarding human nature, grace, and the sacraments, children beginning in the 2nd Grade are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.

Preparation

Our formation instructs students in

  • The gift of human nature and the powers of the soul
  • The original unity and justice in which God made men and women
  • The Fall, Original Sin and the subsequent wounding of the powers of the soul
  • The necessity of grace in order to live as God made them to live, as future saints on pilgrimage to heaven!
  • How “grace builds on nature” particularly through the sacraments

With each sacrament, the children not only learn about the many gifts in which that particular sacrament bestows (i.e. forgiveness of sin, spiritual strength against temptation, etc.), but also they come to long for the greatest gift of the sacrament—a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and the reception of His very life. 

A Personal Relationship with Christ

By the end of their preparation, OCS students can say not only that they know about God, but that they know Him personally through the sacraments.

A mother and daughter focused on the paper and candle on a table in front of them.
A young boy in a suit is standing next to an adult wearing a white robe, receiving Holy Communion.
A young girl in a white dress is receiving communion from a priest in a church setting, with stained glass windows visible in the background.
A family is gathered around a candle, with a young child holding a lit candle and the parents leaning in close.

Partnering with Parents

Family support and participation in this sacramental preparation is vital. OCS supports parents through:

  • Parent meetings before each sacrament
  • A "Praying as a Family" Retreat before First Reconciliation

During the retreat, families experience the joy of unity, prayer, forgiveness, and love as the domestic church, beautifully reflecting to them the same gifts received through the sacraments within the universal Church.

Daily Prayer

Community prayers begin and end each day at OCS.

  

Weekly Mass

Attending all-school Mass each week is a vital part of our Catholic educational mission, fostering children's active participation in the Eucharist and deepening their understanding of Christ's presence in the liturgical life of the Church.

This weekly gathering mirrors the communal worship emphasized in Catholic tradition, where children learn alongside peers and adults to adore God "in spirit and in truth," building a sense of belonging to the Body of Christ and preparing them for full engagement in Sunday Masses.

Weekly Masses are open to OCS families and friends. Current families, please reference the calendar for details. 

Adoration

Eucharistic adoration offers children a profound opportunity to encounter Christ's real presence in the Blessed Sacrament, fostering a deep sense of reverence, awe, and personal love for Jesus that enriches their spiritual lives beyond the Mass.

By spending quiet time before the Eucharist, young hearts learn to listen to God, cultivate prayerful silence, and grow in intimacy with the Lord, as encouraged by the Church for catechetical formation and preparation for First Holy Communion.

School-wide adoration occurs on the first Friday of every month. Adoration is available daily in our campus adoration chapel. Click HERE for more information. 

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