The Rite of Reconciliation, first announced by the Congregation for Divine Worship in 1973, was broadly implemented in the United States during 1976. The Sacrament of Penance brought with it a unifying emphasis on the ministry of reconciliation. “By the hidden and loving mystery of God’s design people are joined together in the bonds of supernatural solidarity, so much so that the sin of one harms the others just at the holiness of one benefits the others. Penance always entails reconciliation with brothers and sisters who are always harmed by our sins” (5, Rite of Penance). The familiar parts of the sacrament — confession, sorrow, absolution, and penance — remain the parts of the Sacrament of Penance. But these separate moments in the sacramental action all work toward reconciling person to person, person to God, and people as a whole to God.
The Sacrament of Penance also emphasizes that in continuing the reconciling and healing ministry of Jesus, the Church is “at the same time holy and always in need of purification . . . (and) constantly pursues repentance and renewal” (3, Rite of Penance). Sharing the Light of Faith, National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the U.S., tells us that, “because continual, lifelong conversion is part of what it means to grow in faith, catechesis for the sacrament of reconciliation is ongoing” (126). The Rite summons us to celebrate the whole reconciling ministry of baptized Christians. This involves our everyday attempts at reconciliation and union. In this Sacrament we celebrate the continuous, forgiving love of God, and we continue our work of turning toward God.
First Penance introduces children to a more conscious, active participation in the sacramental life of the Church. A child’s experience of first penance is a simple, but vital, beginning. The process of preparation for this segment is carried on in three places — the home, the parish, and in a religious education system.
Although parish celebrations of reconciliation are adult celebrations, the parish community nurtures its children and calls them to grow by including them. As they mature, children will deepen their understanding of reconciliation by participating in these celebrations. Your family life is foundational to all these experiences. Your children first learn attitudes of forgiveness in your family circle. There they establish patterns on which they build for the rest of their lives.
As a Christian parent, you are laying the foundation for your child’s life. You are called to place at the heart of your parenting Christ’s spirit of unconditional love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. As your child experiences this in your care, he or she will begin to glimpse the true nature of the love of God and the promise of lasting peace and happiness, which is God’s promise to us. As a loving and caring parent you will be anxious to help your child at this important time, and of course, you are at the very heart of your child’s understanding of reconciliation.
Children preparing for First Penance must meet the following criteria:
| 1. | Be baptized and already practicing the Catholic faith at a level appropriate to their age. |
| 2. | Have a desire to enter into the process. |
| 3. | Have completed one year of PSR (parish school of religion), parochial school, or home study and be currently enrolled and participating in one of these options. |
Preparation will include: