First Holy Communion messages from parents and godparents
05/10/2026 · The Hero of the Book Team
Ready-to-use First Holy Communion messages from parents, godparents and grandparents – and how to adapt them to the child's age and reading level.
A good First Holy Communion message has three parts: the child's name, one sentence about what the day means (meeting Jesus, not just a “big day” in general), and a wish that reflects who is writing – a parent gives a blessing, a godparent promises to walk alongside, a grandparent remembers. Let the child's age guide the length and the words: an eight-year-old should be able to read it alone, so two short sentences; an older child can manage a Bible verse too.
Who writes what: parents, godparents and grandparents
The most common mistake is that everyone writes the same thing – “May God be with you always” – and the child ends up with five identical cards. It helps if each person takes what belongs to their role.
Parents talk about the journey they've made with the child: the christening, prayers at bedtime, the preparation sessions in the parish. Their message is the most personal and can easily be the longest.
A godparent promised at the christening to help the child in their faith. First Communion is the first big moment when that promise can be recalled – and renewed: “I'm still here.”
Grandparents are the only ones who can compare across time. They can write about their own First Communion, or about carrying the child to the font. Twenty years on, a sentence like that is what the child will most enjoy rereading in the card.
Brothers, sisters and friends need just one sentence – ideally in their own handwriting, spelling mistakes and all.
Messages from parents
Messages from godparents
Messages from grandparents
How to adapt the message to the child's age
| Age | What the child can manage | How to write |
|---|---|---|
| 7–8 years | Reads alone, but slowly; can puzzle out joined-up writing | Two or three short sentences, in print or neat handwriting. Their name, one wish, a signature. No quotations. |
| 9–10 years | Reads fluently, understands images like “bread of life” | You can add a short Bible verse and a sentence about what the day means. Five sentences at most is still enough. |
| 11 and over | Can tell a stock phrase from a personal word | Fewer pious phrases, more of yourself: what you value in the child, what you wish them for the years when their faith may be tested. |
| Teenager or adult | Came to Communion by their own decision | Acknowledge that decision. Write as you would to an adult: “I really respect that you chose this yourself.” |
Verses and short quotations that work
- “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35)The most popular choice – it relates directly to the Eucharist and it's short, so it fits on a holy card or in a book.
- “Let the little children come to me.” (Matthew 19:14)Good for the youngest children and for messages from grandparents.
- “The Lord bless you and keep you.” (Numbers 6:24)The Aaronic blessing; good where you want a short formula instead of your own wish.
- “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)For godparents who want to remind the child that they're not alone on their journey of faith.
Phrases that say nothing, and what to use instead
- “Have a wonderful big day”You could say that for a birthday or a school report. Replace it with something specific: “Today you receive Jesus for the first time.”
- “May God be with you” on its ownOn its own it's a formula the child gets from everyone. Add something of your own: “…and I'll be there whenever you need me.”
- Long sermons about faithAn eight-year-old doesn't want to read a paragraph on the meaning of the sacraments. One sentence they understand is worth more than ten they skip.
- No signature, no date“From us” will mean nothing to anyone in twenty years. Write your full name or role (godfather Peter) and the date.
How to write your own message in five minutes
- 1Use the child's nameNot “Dear child”, but what you call them at home – “Dear Lucy”, “Hi, Jack”.
- 2Write one sentence about what's happening todayBe specific: “today you receive Jesus for the first time” says more than “your big day”.
- 3Add something only your role can writeA parent recalls the christening, a godparent the promise, a grandparent their own First Communion.
- 4End with a wish for the futureOne wish is enough. Five wishes in a row blur into one.
- 5Sign it and add the dateIn twenty years, the date and the name of the church are what the child will look for. Almost everyone forgets this.
Where to write the message so it doesn't get lost
After the celebration, a card often disappears into a box with the wrapping paper. A message that's meant to last belongs somewhere the child will come back to: the endpaper of a children's Bible or prayer book, the back of a commemorative holy card, the photo album from the day. More on writing a dedication straight into a book is in the article Book dedications: what to write, messages to copy and common mistakes.
If you're giving the child a made-to-order book in which they are the hero of the story, the dedication at the front is written while you put it together – the messages above can go into it unchanged. The finished e-book is usually ready within 15 minutes, so it can be done even at the last minute, while the printed copy arrives in around 7 working days – that's one to plan ahead for. Ideas for the gifts themselves and the traditions around the whole day are summed up in the article First Holy Communion: gifts, messages and dedications; what to do with the christening candle and gown, which sometimes come out again for Communion, is covered in The christening candle and gown after the service.
Sources
- Bible Gateway — Wording of the quoted verses in English translations.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (vatican.va) — The section on the Eucharist and First Communion.
- Code of Canon Law (vatican.va) — Canons on preparing children for First Communion.