(updated 12/1/2011)
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Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
Frequently Asked Questions - Reconciliation
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, ..."
John 20: 22-23a
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Q: What if I haven't been to reconciliation in a very long time. Is there anything special that I should do?
A: As in the story of the Prodigal Son, God is always there, waiting for us to return if we have strayed. He will welcome us back with open arms provided that we are sincere in our atonement. There is nothing special in the eyes of the Church that must be done (with regard to official steps or anything of that regard); however, recall that sin is that which separates us from the Grace of God. Spend some time in an examination of conscience on those things that have caused the separation. Then attend reconciliation at one of the scheduled times.
Q: I'm a little rusty about what I should do in the confessional. Can you give me a little help to refresh my memory?
A: One of the nice things about the confessional is that you should never feel alone about your experience. The priest is there, not only by virtue of God's command to absolve you of your sin, but also as a guide to help you through the sacrament in those areas where you may need help. It is a good idea if you are a little rusty or if this is your first reconciliation, to let the priest know that upon entering the confessional so that he may help guide you. You may also find the document Reconciliation - In The Confessional to be of help. It contained the general events that occur in the confessional as well as an Act of Contrition that can be used after having confessed you sins. Remember that reconciliation is about healing, and not judgment. The priest is there to help you in this journey.
Q: The examination of conscience for adults seems to be a little too much for young kids. Is there something that can help me explain these items so my kids can understand?
A: Young children are often not able to examine their own conscience clearly and surely alone. The priest will aid your child during their confession. There are some questions, that are more suited to children, that can help them get prepared for their confession. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides a document, The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Children, that helps children prepare. It frames several questions pertaining to responsibilities to God and responsibility to others in terms that are easily recognized by children.
Q: When do children receive the sacrament of reconciliation?
A: Catholic children, in accordance with the 1973 letter to bishops by Vatican Congregations for the Sacraments and Divine Worship and for the Clergy, which reaffirmed the 1910 decree of Pope Pius X (Quam Singulari), receive the sacrament of reconciliation prior to receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist. Students in the Lafayette Catholic School System receive this sacrament in the second grade, prior to receiving their First Communion. Further information about the decree of the sacrament of reconciliation preceding First Communion, can be found in A Letter From The Vatican: First Penance, First Communion on the Vatican website.
In Quam Singulari, Pope Pius X writes "The age of discretion both for confession and for communion is the age in which the child begins to reason, i.e. around the seventh year, either before or after. From that time begins the obligation of satisfying both the precept of confession and of communion."
