Baby in confessional

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Ms_Manners

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Am I allowed to bring my baby into the confessional?

I would like to go to confession, but I have no one to watch her (husband away, no nanny for the weekends, we don’t know anyone from the parish) and I don’t want to leave her outside or with a stranger.
She isn’t even 6 months old, doesn’t understand anything, but I don’t know if it would still be a problem.

I am not suggesting changing or breaking any rules just for this case, just asking.
 
Ms_Manners said:
Am I allowed to bring my baby into the confessional?

I would like to go to confession, but I have no one to watch her (husband away, no nanny for the weekends, we don’t know anyone from the parish) and I don’t want to leave her outside or with a stranger.
She isn’t even 6 months old, doesn’t understand anything, but I don’t know if it would still be a problem.

I am not suggesting changing or breaking any rules just for this case, just asking.
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Of course.
 
It seems to me that this is one of those things that goes without saying. So, I don’t recall seeing anything ever written about it in some official text.

I’d just say that it would be helpful to tell the priest that you have your baby with you so that he won’t be confused or concerned about noises the baby might make, wondering “what’s that noise? who else is out there?” sorts of things.

Dan
 
1ke said:
Yes, i’m sure.

If you are concerned about it, ask your pastor.
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He might even be delighted at the sound of a small baby. I know in the abbey, when monks hear a happy baby making happy baby sounds in the nave, many of them have a big smile. One of the monks in particular, who is usually the one giving communion for the centre aisle, really loves babies and delights in them when a mother or father receiving communion comes up with the baby in arms, he always has a big grin and loves to fuss over the baby!
 
I took my daughter with me a few times when she was an infant. What’s hard is when they get to be old enough that they understand some of what you’re saying, but not old enough that they won’t go for a swim in the Baptismal font the minute you turn your back.
 
I’ve never tried this, but it’d probably go like this…

R: “Bless me Father, for I have sinned…”
Junior: “Agoo!” 🙂
Father: “Hmm? Hello there, baby!”
R: “Where was I? Oh yes, I have sinned. It’s been one month…”
Junior (seeing Father’s spectacles): “Da-da-da-GOO!” 😃
R: “Now, Junior, behave yourself!”
Junior: “Mmmmmm!” :mad:
R: “Oh, yes, the confession. In this time, I have - Now wait a minute, there!”
Junior: “Gee!” (holds up Father’s spectacles proudly, then starts munching on them) 😛
Father: “Oh, dear!”
R (calling out): “Er, could you hold on to him for a moment, dear?”
Mrs. R: “I told you so!” :rotfl:

(Any resemblance to anyone’s baby is purely coincidental. Except ours. :))
 
Yes, of course, but I wouldn’t even be asking if I thought it might lead to a disruptive situation. I do believe in some understanding for babies, but for me it wouldn’t feel right towards the other people.
 
I think there is a period in most married women’s lives often many years when babies and small children are just a fact of life and that should be celebrated as far as we can without being disrespectful.
 
I brought my kids in until they were old enough to understand (and repeat) what was said. Priests were always very, very understanding. The worst that happened was one time a toddler rifled through my purse and I had to take a minute and put everything back in before I could leave the confessional. 😊
 
Baby in confessional??

Babies need to go to confession* often.*…for they tend to keep their parents up at night and so steal their sleep…
 
I’ve taken my daughter with me a few times into the confessional. Usually there was enough room to push the stroller in and for me to kneel. However, I was kneeling behind the screen however the priests at our parish know our daughter so it could hardly be considered anonymous.

Never had a problem! So go ahead and do it.

ChadS
 
Make sure and reminder her that she is also bound by the seal of the confessional. No using it against mom later 😉
 
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