First reconciliation for child convert

[Jennifer132]

My family was received into the church this Easter. We were devout Protestants, and my husband and I were already baptized, so we have already made our first reconciliation before Easter. Our two older children were not baptized yet, so they were baptized Catholic on Easter Vigil. Thus they haven’t made their first reconciliation yet. My daughter is ten, and is very worried about this. A few questions:

How do I help her not be so anxious?

When and how often should I take them?

And, how do I help them prepare for reconciliation in general? Do they do an examination of conscience every night or just whenever they think they might want to go to reconciliation? The older two children are ten and twelve.

 

[angell1]

My family was received into the church this Easter. We were devout Protestants, and my husband and I were already baptized, so we have already made our first reconciliation before Easter. Our two older children were not baptized yet, so they were baptized Catholic on Easter Vigil. Thus they haven’t made their first reconciliation yet. My daughter is ten, and is very worried about this. A few questions:

How do I help her not be so anxious?

When and how often should I take them?

And, how do I help them prepare for reconciliation in general? Do they do an examination of conscience every night or just whenever they think they might want to go to reconciliation? The older two children are ten and twelve.

try to explain to her the purpose of reconciliation.

have they had first communion yet? or just baptism? will they receive more instruction at school or the parish?

generally it’s a good rule of thumb to try and go to confession at least once a month. and yes, daily examination of conscience is encouraged

 

[PaulfromIowa]

A daily examination of conscience is a good devotion that some Catholics practice, but weekly or bi-weekly may be a more realistic goal. Pray together, read the Bible together, and work an examination of conscience in with those. Search “Examination of Conscience for children.”

Get in the habit of taking them to Confession regularly, monthly or bi-monthly. If they see Mom and Dad going, that is the best example.

 

[joeybaggz]

My family was received into the church this Easter. We were devout Protestants, and my husband and I were already baptized, so we have already made our first reconciliation before Easter. Our two older children were not baptized yet, so they were baptized Catholic on Easter Vigil. Thus they haven’t made their first reconciliation yet. My daughter is ten, and is very worried about this. A few questions:

How do I help her not be so anxious?

When and how often should I take them?

And, how do I help them prepare for reconciliation in general? Do they do an examination of conscience every night or just whenever they think they might want to go to reconciliation? The older two children are ten and twelve.

If your children were baptized at the Easter Vigil Service (or other service), in all probability they have no need of reconciliation one day later. Other posters make good suggestions. Comfort your anxious daughter that all is well, and I suggest for future purposes, talk to a priest and explain that worries/ questions she has about reconciliation. A priest is the best source to calm her fears.

Congratulations on swimming the Tiber. Praying for you and your family.

Shalom

 

[z_0101]

My advice is to talk with your RCIA coordinator and your Pastor about your Parish’s programs for their PRE/CCD
I am one of the Catechists for my parish, normally for children we have a good deal of formation prior to them receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, including recent converts.

 

[MissRose73]

A daily examination of conscience is a good devotion that some Catholics practice, but weekly or bi-weekly may be a more realistic goal. Pray together, read the Bible together, and work an examination of conscience in with those. Search “Examination of Conscience for children.”

Get in the habit of taking them to Confession regularly, monthly or bi-monthly. If they see Mom and Dad going, that is the best example.

I’ve seen various age appropriate books at Catholic book stores that help kids with the sacrament as well. Most are not expensive, and easy to carry. Plus, if the kids see parents and/or other siblings going to Confession a few times a year or more, then they will see it as not a bad thing.

 

[rabbysmom]

Welcome Home! I was received into the church Easter Vigil of 2016 with my daughter who had just turned 10 at the time. She was baptized and had her communion and she still hasn’t done her first confession yet. I spoke with our religious education director at our church and originally, we were going to have her pulled out of her class to join the children in their first reconciliation but we never got to it. So not sure what we are going to do now. I have to revisit it with her. She mentioned some material on reconciliation that she would give my daughter that we could go over together. Hopefully you can find some resource like that at your parish.
Seems like you a lot more on top of things than I was. I’d say that you have plenty of time to figure something out- especially since they were just baptized. Hope that Saturday night was a memorable and meaningful occasion for you and your family! We went to the Vigil last week to watch everyone come into the church and it was still so special. My daughter enjoyed seeing it as well from “the other side”. Blessings to you and your family!
Stephanie