Reconciliation

Introduction

Catechesis

Policies

Issues

RECONCILIATION – INTRODUCTION

“(The Sacrament of Reconciliation) is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin.”                         - CCC, ¶ 1423

“(The Sacrament of Reconciliation) is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent pardon and peace.”                  - CCC, ¶ 1424

As children reach the age of reason, the Church extends to them an invitation to join with the parish community in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation – the Gift of Peace. Initiated into the Christian community at Baptism, the children are now called to prepare for the Sacrament of God’s loving mercy.

We are all sinners, and we need the strength offered to us in the form of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our faith journey. Baptism calls us to live in relationship with God and with others. When we sin, we harm that relationship. Making use of the Sacrament helps us to turn away from sin and live more and more in the image of Christ.

RECONCILIATION – CATECHESIS

The personal witness of parents and catechists to their own belief in the forgiving love of Jesus is of primary importance in the catechesis of children for this Sacrament. Children learn much more through example than they do from abstract explanations. Witnessing their family regularly participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and gradually participating in the penitential rites of the Eucharist are critical parts of the preparation process. Parents should be teaching their children at an early age what forgiveness is and what it means by offering forgiveness to them in the daily events of their lives.

Focus should be given to the Sacrament as a process of growing in God’s love that will continue throughout life. The first celebration of Reconciliation is not more important that the continued participation in this Sacrament as time goes on.

The manner in which children are taught about moral growth and prepared for Reconciliation helps them enter into and experience the mystery more fully. This preparation should provide both the children and the parents with:

1. a basic understanding of the meaning of sin;

2. an understanding of moral development;

3. an understanding of how conscience is formed;

4. the meaning of the various forms of the Sacrament of Reconciliation;

5. an appreciation of the love and mercy which is extended through the Sacrament.

RECONCILIATION – POLICIES

1.      As children reach the age of reason or discretion (usually considered age seven), they are to be prepared for and encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation whether they are in a school or parish religious education program.

2.      Children should normally participate in a regular school or parish religious education program for at least one year prior to entrance into immediate preparation. This on-going catechesis, provided through the regular parish or school religious education program, forms the foundation upon which the immediate catechesis for First Reconciliation can be built.

3.      A program separate from the regular parish religious education or school program is preferred. Immediate preparation for the first reception of Reconciliation should be appropriate and meaningful for the child’s level of understanding.

4.      Parents have a right and responsibility to be intimately involved in the preparation of children for this Sacrament. Parent programs must continue to be offered by all parishes to assist parents in carrying out this right and responsibility. Parent programs should aim at helping the parents grow in their own understanding and appreciation of Reconciliation, as well as enabling them to participate readily in catechizing their children. These programs should include an adult presentation of the theology and experience of reconciliation, along with the study of sin and moral development. Programs on these topics should be offered regularly in the parish to provide the opportunity for parents to deepen their understanding for themselves and for their children as they mature. An explanation of how the parent will assist in the preparation of their children for this Sacrament should also be given. Special sensitivity should be shown to single parents, those in mixed marriages, those who have participated in previous programs, parents of the handicapped, and all who rightfully exercise the role of guardian.

5.      The principle of individual readiness must be respected. Sound pastoral theology emphasizes that the reception of any Sacrament may be neither forced nor refused to those suitably prepared for it. In practice, this means that not all children are ready for a Sacrament at the same time. Sensitive to each child’s development, the parents, pastor, and the catechists should be in dialogue with each other in determining when the child is ready to celebrate the Sacrament.

6.       Should the pastor have reason to believe that the preparation for First Reconciliation is inadequate, an interview to discuss this concern should be arranged with the family.

7.      First Sacramental Reconciliation should normally precede the first reception of the Eucharist.

“Catechesis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is to precede First Communion and is to be kept distinct by a clear and unhurried separation. This is to be done so that the specific identity of each Sacrament is apparent and so that before receiving First Communion, the child will be familiar with the Rite of Reconciliation and will be at ease with the reception of the Sacrament” (NCD, ¶ 126).

8.      A child’s first reception of Reconciliation should usually be in a communal setting with the family present. The celebration of the Sacrament should be adapted to the needs and age level of the child and be in accord with the spirit and pastoral theology reflected in the rites of Reconciliation.

9.      Pastors, catechists, and parents will cooperatively decide when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is to be offered to children who are mentally handicapped.

10.  For anyone who may decide to delay First Reconciliation beyond the usual age, an explicit invitation is to be made annually to celebrate this Sacrament and suitable immediate preparation is to be provided.

11.  The catechesis begun in the early grades is to be continued and developed throughout the child’s school years so that children may continue the development of a deeper awareness of the Sacrament of God’s loving mercy. Just as the life of faith is never static, but is a developing reality in the life of the maturing Christian, so the understanding and catechesis of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is never complete at a given age. A developing catechesis, appropriate to the age and faith level of the person, is required.

RECONCILIATION – ISSUES

The Order of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the Catholic Church in the United States and elsewhere was permitted to experiment with the age of the first celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation by delaying the celebration until after the child had received First Eucharist. The intermediate years of third to fifth grade were seen as a time when (at least developmentally) the child was better able to comprehend the meaning of sin and the need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Since that time, Church documents, such as the 1983 Code of Canon Law, have reiterated the long-standing directive of Quam Singulari (1910), where Pope Pius X emphasized the right of children to make their First Confession and receive their First Communion beginning at the age of reason (around age 7).

This may present a pastoral problem in some parishes where the order of the Sacraments was changed during the period of experimentation. Some people may wonder why things were not left alone to begin with, and others may object to changing back. Perhaps the best approach would be to share the history of this period of experimentation as part of the whole history of the Sacrament.

The value gained from the experimentation that took place was to bring more clearly into focus the theology and meaning of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for adults as well as for children. Emphasizing that our understanding of this Sacrament grows as we grow reinforces the need for continual catechesis and celebration of Reconciliation throughout our childhood and adult lives.  Catechesis for Reconciliation should be an integral part of each year’s religious education program for children, youth, and adults. Child-oriented and intergenerational communal penance celebrations should be a regular part of the sacramental life of the parish.

The catechetical problem that arises with this change is how to catechize for First Reconciliation before catechizing for First Eucharist with enough separation between the two so they do not become confused in the mind of the child.

Pastors and catechetical personnel will need to consider what will work best for their individual parishes. Catechesis and celebration need not be done for both Sacraments during the same year. Following are several options that could be considered:

The Decision to Delay First Reconciliation

While the norm of the Church is that First Reconciliation should precede the reception of First Eucharist, and is thus to be the usual practice, it must also be acknowledged that exceptions can and must be allowed.

The only time that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is absolutely required by the Church is when the person is conscious of having committed a grave sin. This judgment cannot be made for another person or group of people – it must be left up to the individual conscience. The question remains as to whether or not a young child of seven is capable of committing a grave sin because of his/her insufficient understanding of intentionality.

Parents, in a particular case, may decide that their child is not ready to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation before their first reception of the Eucharist. This should be an informed decision, made only after the parents and child have participated in the preparation program and have consulted with the pastor and catechist.

Communal Penance Celebrations

It is highly recommended that families participate with their children in the first celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Even though the service may be aimed at the child’s level of understanding, it is appropriate for all older children and adults to celebrate the Sacrament too. Children will benefit from witnessing their parents, brothers, and sisters participate in the Sacrament, and will have fears and tensions alleviated by their presence.

A communal celebration at the primary level should be relatively brief and informal. The children may gather around the celebrant during the homily by sitting on the floor in the sanctuary. The confession and absolution of sins may take place in the sanctuary as well, with the children and their families coming forward individually. The priests stand apart in the sanctuary and individuals stand before them to confess their sins and receive absolution. After everyone has returned to their pews, the service continues.

At the intermediate level, the children may participate in a dialogue homily with the celebrant. After the communal act of sorrow, the children and their families are invited to individually confess their sins in the Reconciliation room where they will have time to enter into a conversation with the confessor. After confession, absolution, and penance are received, they return to their pew for the conclusion of the celebration.