Question about RCIA for Children

[Til2morrow]

Well, there are going to be times in ones life in the Church where many things seem to go against all reason. Perhaps this is one of those times. There is nothing in the CCC that states that a priest cannot ask even those who are in preparation for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation on Easter Vigil to go to the Sacrament of Confession with the others (even if it is in this particular case an empty Sacrament since the child has yet to be Baptised). I know how you feel, it goes against all reason and makes things murky, but it would seem that the pastor does not want to distinguish your child from the rest and sees some importance for a “practice” as it were. I for one however, do not see using Sacraments as “practice” sacraments for when the real thing comes along to be good practice. For me it is taking too lightly the real Sacredness of the Sacrament and placing it into a catagory of things that one can practice for–it’s done for the Sacrament of Marriage, why not Confession?? I would drop the fuss, leave the Diocese Office out of it, say nothing more, relax and begin to enjoy having your child enter into communion with Christ our Saviour and His Church. God Bless you and your children/family.
In Christ,
Til2morrow

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I know that some priests have catechumens as well as candidates make a first confession before Easter so that everyone has the experience of knowing how it is done. They probably do not give absolution to the catechumens, so technically it is not a sacrament for them.

It may not be “by the book,” but somehow I wonder whether it might be better than another situation I have heard of, where a person is received into the Church, is never asked to make a first confession, and twenty years later still receives Communion every Sunday never having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation even once, and they would be terrified to even attempt it.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I know that some priests have catechumens as well as candidates make a first confession before Easter so that everyone has the experience of knowing how it is done. They probably do not give absolution to the catechumens, so technically it is not a sacrament for them.

It may not be “by the book,” but somehow I wonder whether it might be better than another situation I have heard of, where a person is received into the Church, is never asked to make a first confession, and twenty years later still receives Communion every Sunday never having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation even once, and they would be terrified to even attempt it.

No it’s not better, and the other situation is not acceptable either. Candidates also need to learn how to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but not by going to a psudo-Sacrament. They need to take the time and teach Candidates how to receive this Sacrament during the process or during the weeks after being received.