K - 8th Grade
Nurtures the hearts and minds of children and youth, guiding them to grow in a deeper, more personal relationship with God.
K thru 8th Grade RE
K–8th Grade Religious Education
Faith Formation helps children grow in their friendship with Jesus and discover what it means to live as joyful disciples. Our program is open to children from preschool through 8th grade, offering age-appropriate lessons, prayer, and community to nurture their faith journey.
encounter with Christ
First Communion
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven… whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
— John 6:51
At Mission San Luis Rey Parish, we believe that the Eucharist is not just a rite of passage—it is a sacred encounter with Christ, the Bread of Life, who nourishes us with His very presence. In the spirit of St. Francis, who adored the humility of God made present in the Eucharist, we approach this sacrament with joy, reverence, and simplicity.
Children who were baptized as infants are invited to begin preparation for First Communion and First Reconciliation as early as 2nd grade. This is a two-year formation process, typically beginning in 1st grade, and includes:
Regular participation in weekly Faith Formation sessions or attendance at a Catholic School
Additional gatherings for children and their parents during the second year
A spiritual journey that helps children fall in love with Jesus, recognize His presence in the Eucharist, and grow in a community of faith
In this journey, children are invited not just to learn about Jesus—but to meet Him, to walk with Him, and to receive Him in the most humble and powerful way: in the breaking of the bread.