First Reconciliation
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First Reconciliation
ExpectationsTHE CANDIDATE
A child’s readiness for the celebration of the sacrament is assessed using the following criteria:- A trust in God’s forgiving love
- A sense of self-worth, a self-image based on a good relationship with God
- A sense of belonging to the Church community
- An understanding of forgiveness, a desire to receive and give forgiveness
- A sense of right and wrong and of the reality of evil
- Knowledge of sin, and ability to describe wrong doing in his/her own words
- A desire of reparation, to make amends for wrongs done to God, to others
- An ability to make a good examination of conscience
- Knowledge of how to confess sins to the priest
- An ability to say “I’m sorry,” to express a sense of repentance, contrition, metanoia (a change)
- Awareness of God’s gifts of grace
- Ability to say an Act of Contrition either through a formal prayer or in his/her own words
- Understanding of the need for continual conversion and renewal
- Knowledge of the Sacrament of Penance and the Rite of Penance, individual and communal
THE PARENTSParents have a right and a duty to be intimately involved in preparing their child for the Sacrament of Penance. Catechesis aims to help parents grow in understanding and appreciation of the sacramental life of the Church in order to participate readily in catechizing their children. Parents may do this by their support and encouragement in the spiritual growth of their child by:- Sharing faith with their child
- Asking for and modeling forgiveness
- Witnessing to a Christian lifestyle
- Praying and teaching prayer
- Participating with their child in worship especially Sunday Eucharist
- Providing opportunities for formal religious education/faith formation
- Being a healthy model for their children by approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis
- Continuing their own personal growth and understanding of the Sacrament of Penance by attending classes designed for parents/guardians of the children preparing for the celebration the sacrament.
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*Minimum of Required Prayers for the Sacrament of Reconciliation Learning by Heart –2nd Grade Common Prayers and Formulas
Sign of the Cross; Grace before and after meals; Morning & Evening Prayers;
Guardian Angel Prayer; Lord’s Prayer; Hail Mary; Glory Be;
Act of Contrition
*The minimum of prayers required to know and understand for the sacrament of Reconciliation
is based on the second grade prayers.
If child is in a higher grade, 2nd Grade prayers will be the prayers in which he/she will be assessed.
Child is invited to make an effort to know the prayers of their grade level too.
You can find the prayers by grade level in the next column up to 6th grade.
*Download the prayers to start learning them.