Are young children (4/5 yrs old) permitted to partake of Sacrament of Reconciliation?

[whatevergirl]

DD and I went to confession today, and at this particular parish we go for confession (it is not the one we joined but one that is closer to home) there are little kids, like 4 and 5 yrs old, going into the confessional, without their parents…for confession. Often, they take a long time in there, bless their hearts. I can’t help but wonder though, isn’t this Sacrament ‘reserved’ for kids of a certain age, who are going through the classes for first holy Communion? When dh, our kids, and I went through classes for preparation for first holy Communion, that is when we went through our very first confession–and are children not permitted to go to confession, if they are not preparing for communion, or are not currently able to receive communion?

I mean, adults going through RCIA cannot go to confession, I believe, until they reach a point where they go through their first confession conducted as a class, no?

Just curious…thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[LilyM]

DD and I went to confession today, and at this particular parish we go for confession (it is not the one we joined but one that is closer to home) there are little kids, like 4 and 5 yrs old, going into the confessional, without their parents…for confession. Often, they take a long time in there, bless their hearts. I can’t help but wonder though, isn’t this Sacrament ‘reserved’ for kids of a certain age, who are going through the classes for first holy Communion? When dh, our kids, and I went through classes for preparation for first holy Communion, that is when we went through our very first confession–and are children not permitted to go to confession, if they are not preparing for communion, or are not currently able to receive communion?

I mean, adults going through RCIA cannot go to confession, I believe, until they reach a point where they go through their first confession conducted as a class, no?

Just curious…thanks in advance for your replies.

Canon Law certianly doesn’t seem to set any requirement for formal instruction in the sacrament before its reception

“Can. 987 To receive the salvific remedy of the sacrament of penance, a member of the Christian faithful must be disposed in such a way that, rejecting sins committed and having a purpose of amendment, the person is turned back to God.”

I can imagine that there are four or five year olds who are mature enough for this. I imagine part of the extra time is that the priest first would actually talk to them first to discern that they are capable.

For procedural reasons it’s often easier to do first confessions en masse in RCIA, or with a class where kids are preparing for first Communion, but I don’t know of any requirement to do so.

Children in the Latin Rite do always have their first reconciliation before first communion - if they’re old enough to commune they’re old enough to confess. But there’s no set requirement that it must be just before, or must be part of the formal instruction process.

I know I was relatively young - I think six - when I made my first confession. I was that young when I made my first communion.

And yes, when I was young I required help from the priest sometimes, but it didn’t mean that I didn’t have genuine sins to confess and couldn’t, with a bit of help, make a good confession and understand the sacrament.

 

[whatevergirl]

Children always have their first reconciliation before first communion - if they’re old enough to commune they’re old enough to confess.

I know I was relatively young - I think six - when I made my first confession. I was that young when I made my first communion.

And yes, when I was young I required help from the priest sometimes, but it didn’t mean that I didn’t have genuine sins to confess and couldn’t, with a bit of help, make a good confession and understand the sacrament.

Yes, I realize that–I was around 7, and so was dd. My question though is how about kids who are 4 and 5? I recall that there is a particular age requirement to going through the prep for holy communion. No?

I do think it’s a good idea to get kids into the habit of going to confession, but I thought that one had to be undergoing the Sacrament of Communion prep classes or in some form, being initiated into the Church through RCIA to be permitted to confession.

 

[Phemie]

Yes, I realize that–I was around 7, and so was dd. My question though is how about kids who are 4 and 5? I recall that there is a particular age requirement to going through the prep for holy communion. No?

I do think it’s a good idea to get kids into the habit of going to confession, but I thought that one had to be undergoing the Sacrament of Communion prep classes or in some form, being initiated into the Church through RCIA to be permitted to confession.

Sometimes we find that in our preparation for First Communion, which involves the parents at all sessions, younger siblings attend and in some cases are ready for Communion along with their older brother or sister.

So although the age is 6+, if a 5 year old happens to attend and understand the teachings he/she is allowed to then prepare for and make their first confession and receive.

 

[LilyM]

Yes, I realize that–I was around 7, and so was dd. My question though is how about kids who are 4 and 5? I recall that there is a particular age requirement to going through the prep for holy communion. No?

I do think it’s a good idea to get kids into the habit of going to confession, but I thought that one had to be undergoing the Sacrament of Communion prep classes or in some form, being initiated into the Church through RCIA to be permitted to confession.

"Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

Can. 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion."

Remember that in the Eastern Churches, as in the Early Church, infants are communed at baptism. So there isn’t an absolute link between confession and first Communion. I wonder how they decide at what age a child is ready for confession.

I’m guessing that just as adults, in the right circumstances, can be privately prepared for the sacraments without going through the usual process of RCIA, so can children be privately prepared at an earlier age, for confession and/or Communion (not to mention Confirmation - I also received my confirmation at 10 or 11). If there is good reason and if they are of sufficient mental capacity.

 

[Phemie]

"Can. 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

Can. 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion."

Remember that in the Eastern Churches, as in the Early Church, infants are communed at baptism. So there isn’t an absolute link between confession and first Communion. I wonder how they decide at what age a child is ready for confession.

I’m guessing that just as adults, in the right circumstances, can be privately prepared for the sacraments without going through the usual process of RCIA, so can children be privately prepared at an earlier age, for confession and/or Communion (not to mention Confirmation - I also received my confirmation at 10 or 11). If there is good reason and if they are of sufficient mental capacity.

I was required to prepare our oldest for First Communion. At the time, in many dioceses, Confession came the year after First Communion – against Canon 914

Can. 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion.

Anyway, after I had completed the preparation, DD was interviewed by the Padre and when he saw that she understood what she would be receiving, he did a question and answer confession and she received her First Communion during that week.

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m glad I posted this, because I really didn’t know that kids as young as 4 or 5 could receive communion. I was going to ask as my next question, Lily…about baptism…you beat me to it. lol I started thinking that maybe if one is baptized a Catholic, and is younger than the typical age for receiving first holy communion, that it would be acceptable, if they were aware of what was going on. Interesting! Thank you for this info.

 

[FrDavid96]

DD and I went to confession today, and at this particular parish we go for confession (it is not the one we joined but one that is closer to home) there are little kids, like 4 and 5 yrs old, going into the confessional, without their parents…for confession. Often, they take a long time in there, bless their hearts. I can’t help but wonder though, isn’t this Sacrament ‘reserved’ for kids of a certain age, who are going through the classes for first holy Communion? When dh, our kids, and I went through classes for preparation for first holy Communion, that is when we went through our very first confession–and are children not permitted to go to confession, if they are not preparing for communion, or are not currently able to receive communion?

I mean, adults going through RCIA cannot go to confession, I believe, until they reach a point where they go through their first confession conducted as a class, no?

Just curious…thanks in advance for your replies.

For confession or Communion, a child must have reached the “age of reason” The Church says that generally, a child who is 7 years old has reached that “age of reason.” But of course, as every parent knows, all children mature at different rates.

If the children are not yet old enough to truly understand what they are doing in confession, then they should not be going. 4 or 5 is too young for confession, unless we’re talking about a truly remarkable child.

If the children cannot understand what they are saying, if they cannot understand the concept of sin and forgiveness then they are, in reality, not participating in a sacrament at all. If they don’t understand what it means to confess their sins, then they aren’t confessing their sins.

I don’t know exactly what’s happening here, but from what you have posted, it seems that something “not right” is being done. Or:
Could it be that the children are older than they appear? Could it be that something other than confession is happening (a blessing perhaps)? I do hope that there is an explanation for this because 4 and 5 year olds cannot possibly be making confessions.

 

[whatevergirl]

For confession or Communion, a child must have reached the “age of reason” The Church says that generally, a child who is 7 years old has reached that “age of reason.” But of course, as every parent knows, all children mature at different rates.

If the children are not yet old enough to truly understand what they are doing in confession, then they should not be going. 4 or 5 is too young for confession, unless we’re talking about a truly remarkable child.

If the children cannot understand what they are saying, if they cannot understand the concept of sin and forgiveness then they are, in reality, not participating in a sacrament at all. If they don’t understand what it means to confess their sins, then they aren’t confessing their sins.

I don’t know exactly what’s happening here, but from what you have posted, it seems that something “not right” is being done. Or:
Could it be that the children are older than they appear? Could it be that something other than confession is happening (a blessing perhaps)? I do hope that there is an explanation for this because 4 and 5 year olds cannot possibly be making confessions.

That’s a good question, Father…your last statement. I’m not in the confessional, so I’m not sure, but they are in there for quite a while at times…I think I can judge kids’ ages pretty well, I’m pretty sure some of the kids I’ve seen are under 6.

Like the other posters and you have said though–maybe they are aware of what is happening. I guess I assumed that the Church had a staunch age ‘minimum’ if you will, to begin preparation for both holy communion and confession. I never thought that just because a parent chose to bring his/her child to confession (the child to confess him/herself) that that was ‘permitted.’

 

[PaulAndrew83]

Dear Father,

I remember reading about Pope St Pius X giving Holy Communion to a four year old upon questioning him, when he was Pope.

Not to second guess but It does seem possible that some children have reached the age of reason quite young.

Certain modern studies have shown that a five year old in a professional home outstrips adults in underprivileged situations (ie.ghetto’s) in vocabulary and even behavior.

In todays times when some children are ahead of the rest - due to the times we are in it seems prudent to have them receiving the sacraments as soon as they are able to.

Paul

 

[Walking_Home]

FIRST CONFESSION AND FIRST COMMUNION

By John Cardinal Wright

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_07121980_fconf_en.html

Some grave abuses

All this is, as anyone familiar with the religious history of the Western world well knows, an old story. It was certainly the case by the time of St. Pius X. The errors p(name removed by moderator)ointed by him had inevitably led to grave abuses. One was depriving children, early in their lives, of the right of living in Christ through Holy Communion, a right given by Baptism. Another no less serious abuse touched on both first Communion and first Confession, undoubtedly causing the loss of angelic first innocence in many youngsters by concealing (and burying in the subconscious) the probability, perhaps the beginnings, at least, of faults, major or minor, which orient the child self-ward, rather than God-ward, towards love of self rather than love of neighbor, let alone of God. Such an orientation, once well under way, is as difficult to remedy as is the recovery of an over-shot turn-off from a motorway, with a consequent steadily progressive journey further and further from one’s goal.

A third abuse, common in the days of Pius X, and renewed today, is the causing of children, by ill-conceived pastoral practice or by worldly social controls, to live in a dimly felt (cleanse me from my known faults!) or even conscious state of sin by not allowing them to go to Confession until the age determined for first Communion. Pius X found priests even denying children absolution when they did confess (on the grounds often heard today: “He may think he has sinned, but you and I know he cannot!”), a singularly perverse abuse destructive of the child’s discretion, sense of responsibility and spiritual rights. Other “utterly detestable” abuses along the same line were denounced by Pius X.

Particularly astonishing is the confusion of the moment concerning rational norms for first Confession and first Communion in the light of the fact that the cogent and clear norms of St. Pius X were proclaimed within the lifetime of living man, in fact within the lifetime of grandparents, at least, and priests now seemingly completely at sea on the matter. The conditions for first Confession and first Communion were interrelated in the mind of St. Pius X. The age that he chose as the “age of discretion,” for initiation into both these sacraments, conforms roughly with the age that is still acknowledged as the time when the “discretion” of the boy or the girl is deemed adequate to begin an initiation into the influence of television, the absorption of comic-book philosophy, the personal and community aspects of schooling, cinema attendance, and the initial forms, at least, of a considerably developed social and formal education program.

 

[FrDavid96]

well…

The Church says that one who is 7 is presumed to have reached the age of reason (unless there’s some indication to the contrary).

It’s not that the Church is saying that on a child’s 7th birthday, somehow “reason” magically appears.

If these children have indeed attained the ability to reason, then they would be eligible for Confession and Communion.

Yes, children are maturing faster than they were in the past, or maybe it’s just that as a society we are better able to measure that faculty, or we are less likely to supress it in them. I don’t know. Leave that one to the experts I say.

That’s why I tried to be rather careful in my earlier post. IF they can reason, there’s nothing wrong, and everything acceptable about them going to confession. However, since the Church uses age 7 as the normal age of reason, it seems quite a stretch from my point of view to say that 4 year olds have the same mental development as 7’s. We’re not talking about the difference between say 18 versus 21 here. I just find it a little “suspect” that 4 or even 5 year olds truly have the capacity to understand what is REALY happening in confession. If it were a matter of one child, I might think that’s an unusually bright child, but it seems that’s not what is happening here.

As for St. Pius X and that child, I’m not familiar with the story, but if the child was old enough to question the Pope about communion, then it seems the child was old enough to receive. Yet, Pius X didn’t take that occasion to say that all 4 year olds should be receiving. Also, let’s keep in mind that the topic at hand isn’t realy about receiving communion, it’s about going to confession. Children who can tell the difference between communion and ordinary food can receive in danger-of-death, with no minimum age specified. But to go to confession, one has to actually grasp the concepts of sin, repentance, forgiveness, absolution, punnishment, penance, restitution, mercy, etc. etc. All of that might be beyond the average 4 or 5 year old.

It just doesn’t sit well with me. That’s why I’m hoping that something else is going on. I can speculate all day on some legitimate reasons. Maybe the priest is giving them a blessing, or doing some catechesis, or simply preparing them by making the confessional itself a familiar place so that when they confess, they are not in a “strange place.” I don’t know. I just hope that what’s happening is not what appears to be happening.

 

[Aramis]

Dear Father,

I remember reading about Pope St Pius X giving Holy Communion to a four year old upon questioning him, when he was Pope.

Paul

It is also quite possible that the Child merely asked “I’m a Ukrainian, may I receive my Jesus, please?”

 

[FrDavid96]

The Church does not establish a minimum age (in terms of years) for Confession. However:
Canon 987 In order to receive the salvific remedy of the sacrament of penance, the Christian faithful ought to be so disposed that, having repudiated the sins committed and having a purpose of amendment, they are converted to God.

It seems to me that unless a person has matured enough to have the mental faculty of reasoning, those conditions cannot be met.

I’m not saying that confession before age 7 is impossible, but I’m saying that confession before the age of reason is impossible. Every child matures differently. But I would think that in very general terms, it is not likely that the average 4 or even 5 year old is at this point of development.

 

[Walking_Home]

The Church does not establish a minimum age (in terms of years) for Confession. However:
Canon 987 In order to receive the salvific remedy of the sacrament of penance, the Christian faithful ought to be so disposed that, having repudiated the sins committed and having a purpose of amendment, they are converted to God.

It seems to me that unless a person has matured enough to have the mental faculty of reasoning, those conditions cannot be met.

I’m not saying that confession before age 7 is impossible, but I’m saying that confession before the age of reason is impossible. Every child matures differently. But I would think that in very general terms, it is not likely that the average 4 or even 5 year old is at this point of development.

---

Being a parent – I can say that a 4-5 year old has the capacity to know right from wrong. And they have the capacity to “cover-up” when they have done something wrong. So it is within reason that a child as young as 4-5 can benefit from confession — and it can have great impact in developing a child’s moral fiber.

 

[FrDavid96]

---

Being a parent – I can say that a 4-5 year old has the capacity to know right from wrong. And they have the capacity to “cover-up” when they have done something wrong. So it is within reason that a child as young as 4-5 can benefit from confession — and it can have great impact in developing a child’s moral fiber.

It’s not just a matter of knowing right from wrong. It’s a matter of understanding everything that is involved with Confession. We don’t celebrate the Sacraments (or simulate celebrating them) just because someone “might benefit” from doing so. As I said earlier, if a person (of any age) cannot understand sin, forgiveness, absolution, mercy, repentance, etc. etc. etc. then it’s not possible for that person to actually make a confession.

 

[Walking_Home]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walking_Home View Post
Being a parent – I can say that a 4-5 year old has the capacity to know right from wrong. And they have the capacity to “cover-up” when they have done something wrong. So it is within reason that a child as young as 4-5 can benefit from confession — and it can have great impact in developing a child’s moral fiber.

It’s not just a matter of knowing right from wrong. It’s a matter of understanding everything that is involved with Confession. We don’t celebrate the Sacraments (or simulate celebrating them) just because someone “might benefit” from doing so. As I said earlier, if a person (of any age) cannot understand sin, forgiveness, absolution, mercy, repentance, etc. etc. etc. then it’s not possible for that person to actually make a confession.

---

Pope St. Pius X – Decree Quam Singulari

papalencyclicals.net/Pius10/p10quam.htm

No less worthy of condemnation is that practice which prevails in many places prohibiting from Sacramental Confession children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion, or of not giving them absolution. Thus it happens that they, perhaps having fallen into serious sin, remain in that very dangerous state for a long time.

T**herefore, the age of discretion for Confession is the time when one can distinguish between right and wrong, that is, when one arrives at a certain use of reason, **and so similarly, for Holy Communion is required the age when one can distinguish between the Bread of the Holy Eucharist and ordinary bread-again the age at which a child attains the use of reason.

 

[FrDavid96]

---

Pope St. Pius X – Decree Quam Singulari

papalencyclicals.net/Pius10/p10quam.htm

No less worthy of condemnation is that practice which prevails in many places prohibiting from Sacramental Confession children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion, or of not giving them absolution. Thus it happens that they, perhaps having fallen into serious sin, remain in that very dangerous state for a long time.

T**herefore, the age of discretion for Confession is the time when one can distinguish between right and wrong, that is, when one arrives at a certain use of reason, **and so similarly, for Holy Communion is required the age when one can distinguish between the Bread of the Holy Eucharist and ordinary bread-again the age at which a child attains the use of reason.

Yes, as I’ve been saying all along over and over again,
“the age at which a child attains the use of reason.”

You quoted the decree at least twice on this thread.

Now, it’s time for some explanation of the decree that you are so fond of quoting. Prior to 1910 the age for first Communion was anywhere between 10 and 14 (even 18 in some places) In certain parts of the US Catholics didn’t even receive first Communion until shortly before they got married. Some were in their twenties before 1st Communion. That’s why the decree of the Sacred Congregation, issued with the approval of St. Pius X says
“the age determined for the reception of First Communion was placed at ten years or twelve, and in places fourteen years or even more were required; and until that age children and youth were prohibited from Eucharistic Communion”
This is the abuse to which you keep referring.

Now, let’s see what St. Pius X has to say for a solution. Let us read the rest of Quam Singulari and see the rule that St Pius X issued with regard to the proper age for confession:

1. The age of discretion, both for Confession and for Holy Communion, is the time when a child begins to reason, that is about the seventh year, more or less. From that time on begins the obligation of fulfilling the precept of both Confession and Communion.

It is one thing to take quotes from a document out-of-context and try to make them say something which they don’t say, it is another thing entirely to view them in context and read the entire decree and understand what is being said.

 

[Walking_Home]

uote:
Originally Posted by Walking_Home View Post​

Pope St. Pius X – Decree Quam Singulari

papalencyclicals.net/Pius10/p10quam.htm

No less worthy of condemnation is that practice which prevails in many places prohibiting from Sacramental Confession children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion, or of not giving them absolution. Thus it happens that they, perhaps having fallen into serious sin, remain in that very dangerous state for a long time.

Therefore, the age of discretion for Confession is the time when one can distinguish between right and wrong, that is, when one arrives at a certain use of reason, and so similarly, for Holy Communion is required the age when one can distinguish between the Bread of the Holy Eucharist and ordinary bread-again the age at which a child attains the use of reason.

Yes, as I’ve been saying all along over and over again,
“the age at which a child attains the use of reason.”

You quoted the decree at least twice on this thread.

Now, it’s time for some explanation of the decree that you are so fond of quoting. Prior to 1910 the age for first Communion was anywhere between 10 and 14 (even 18 in some places) In certain parts of the US Catholics didn’t even receive first Communion until shortly before they got married. Some were in their twenties before 1st Communion. That’s why the decree of the Sacred Congregation, issued with the approval of St. Pius X says
“the age determined for the reception of First Communion was placed at ten years or twelve, and in places fourteen years or even more were required; and until that age children and youth were prohibited from Eucharistic Communion”
This is the abuse to which you keep referring.

Now, let’s see what St. Pius X has to say for a solution. Let us read the rest of Quam Singulari and see the rule that St Pius X issued with regard to the proper age for confession:

1. The age of discretion, both for Confession and for Holy Communion, is the time when a child begins to reason, that is about the seventh year, more or less. From that time on begins the obligation of fulfilling the precept of both Confession and Communion.

It is one thing to take quotes from a document out-of-context and try to make them say something which they don’t say, it is another thing entirely to view them in context and read the entire decree and understand what is being said.

Quote=FrDavid95
t’s not just a matter of knowing right from wrong. It’s a matter of understanding everything that is involved with Confession. We don’t celebrate the Sacraments (or simulate celebrating them) just because someone “might benefit” from doing so. As I said earlier, if a person (of any age) cannot understand sin, forgiveness, absolution, mercy, repentance, etc. etc. etc. then it’s not possible for that person to actually make a confession.​

FrDavid --I am not taking the document out of context —please note ----the part --“when a child begins to reason” and this can be more or less about the seventh year. The indicator that Pope St. Pius X stated is --"when one can distinguish between right and wrong, that is, when one arrives at a certain use of reason. He did not place the restriction of understanding everything that is involved with Confession on the children.
I was pointing out that a child is very capable of distinguishing right from wrong before the age of seven–therefore become eligible for confession.

As can be seen below from the same document – elementary knowledge suffices --full use of reason is not required for reception of Holy Communion —the same principle would apply to confession. The elementary knowledge is the child knowing right from wrong.

From all this it is clear that the age of discretion for receiving Holy Communion is that at which the child knows the difference between the Eucharistic Bread and ordinary, material bread, and can therefore approach the altar with proper devotion. Perfect knowledge of the things of faith, therefore, is not required, for an elementary knowledge suffices-some knowledge (aliqua cognitio); similarly full use of reason is not required, for a certain beginning of the use of reason, that is, some use of reason (aliqualis usus rationis) suffices.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Are you sure they are not just short children?

My youngest sister wore a white dress from the “Infants” department for her First Communion because she was simply too short of stature. She got “lost” in the confessional, she was that petite. My niece, one of her daughters, is also very slight and petite. We live in a Hispanic neighborhood, and there are many petite little girls who look as if they are 4 or 5, but actually are 8 or 9; for that matter, there are short little boys.

Just a thought…