Can I bring my infant to confession with me?

[PhilotheaZ]

That’s wonderful! The angels are rejoicing. Thank God for His mercy!

 

[BeeSweet]

Some of us do have reasons for going with the children: I.E. when we ask our wives to watch the babies, they always drill us about our sins, what they were, and why we have to go to confession. Sometimes it’s just better to go with the boys for a little privacy.

Andy

Wow, that’s just… rude and disrespectful. I’d be thankful my husband were going to confession, respectful of his privacy, and grateful he’s humble enough to value the sacrament.

One of the moms in my play group said as a young teen, she’d count the minutes her brothers and sisters would be in the confessional. The longer they were in there, the more she thought they had to confess! “What did you do?!??!” she would yell at them! I thought that was hilarious, what a tyrant of a little sister she was!

I take my son in with me. He’s almost two. A couple of months ago when I went, he was peeking around the partition at the priest, the same priest who Baptized him. I thought, “well there goes the anonymity of this confession!!!”

A good examination of conscience prior to confession will help keep you from being distracted by the baby. Write down your sins on a piece of paper and bring it with you (and make sure to destroy it when you leave the confessional!!). If you’re well prepared for the sacrament before you go in, it won’t matter that you have to divide your mind a little to watch the baby.

 

[fnz2thrght]

Wow, that’s just… rude and disrespectful. I’d be thankful my husband were going to confession, respectful of his privacy, and grateful he’s humble enough to value the sacrament.

One of the moms in my play group said as a young teen, she’d count the minutes her brothers and sisters would be in the confessional. The longer they were in there, the more she thought they had to confess! “What did you do?!??!” she would yell at them! I thought that was hilarious, what a tyrant of a little sister she was!

I take my son in with me. He’s almost two. A couple of months ago when I went, he was peeking around the partition at the priest, the same priest who Baptized him. I thought, “well there goes the anonymity of this confession!!!”

A good examination of conscience prior to confession will help keep you from being distracted by the baby. Write down your sins on a piece of paper and bring it with you (and make sure to destroy it when you leave the confessional!!). If you’re well prepared for the sacrament before you go in, it won’t matter that you have to divide your mind a little to watch the baby.

oh didn’t everyone sort of do that with their brothers and sisters??? See who was in the longest and then taunt them?? hahah And as far as anonymity - I always wondered about that since all of us would go in one after another and surely the priest knew who we all were LOL. Many times I’d sit with a friend who had 13 brothers and sisters and I’d sneak in between them hoping that Father would get confused and not recognize me. LOL. Now I just go face to face and so there’s no more anon.

 

[mmm1]

I see you point as well and do agree. Thank you for commenting. Maybe my question is more about people not taking the sacraments seriously because of other obligations that get in the way. For example, not going to church on Sunday because “we are busy and it would be too hard to get the family together to go to church.” My extended family is like this, so that is why I bring up the point.

Pax Christi

Oh, I agree & get very frustrated by this sort of thing. I also think you’re right to stress reverence & avoiding distractions.

 

[Gertabelle]

I have no babysitter and my husband is unavailable to watch my daughter. Is it alright to bring her into the confessional with me while I confess my sins?

I brought my son into the confessional with me a couple times. I’d tire him out in the early afternoon with a lot of playing outside. Then he’d fall asleep in the car and he’d sleep in my arms during the sacrament. Even though he was asleep, I’d still use euphamisms for some sins.

What has worked for me several times is to invite a friend of mine along to confession on a Saturday afternoon. We take turns going to confession and watching our sons. Since this parish often has long lines for the sacrament (thanks be to God!), we try to go as early as possible to allow for time. This has made it possible to go once a month, which provides such amazing graces for this single mom.

Trust in God to help you and don’t be afraid to ask for help, even at the last moment. Those little old ladies are just begging God for an opportunity to spend time with a little angel.

God bless you!

Gertie