Questions about first confession and sins committed as a child

[LostLilly]

Hello all!

I am 26 years old and currently in the middle of going through RCIA, preparing myself for my first confession. I seem to be hung up on the sins that I committed as a child. Does the church have an age of “consent” when it comes to certain sins? I know that for something to be considered a “mortal sin” it has to meet 3 requirements… that it is of grave matter, committed with full knowledge of the sinner, and with deliberate consent. I have a specific sin in mind (I’m too ashamed to admit what it is till my confession), and it was of grave matter I believe… but I was probably under 7 years old at the time (can’t remember exactly how old). Now, I don’t think at that point in my life I had been taught it was bad… but I knew in my heart once I did it, even at a young age that it felt wrong. I was baptized as a baby in the Lutheran church. My question is, do I have to confess this sin? Or is it considered venial because I was so young, and hadn’t been specifically taught not to do this thing? (Also note, I haven’t committed the sin since, so it has not become habit). Bless you if you took the time to read this. Please pray for me, for these thoughts weigh heavy on my heart!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Approximately age seven is considered old enough to give consent. For some people it may be a little earlier or later.

But I would say that if this sin is still bothering you enough to be asking about it, you may find it healing to confess it and know it is gone.

 

[LostLilly]

thank you for the advice!

 

[phoage]

What SuscipeMeDomine said. Confession is one of the sacraments of healing for a reason, it heals the soul. The priest has heard it before unless this is his first confession also. ( I actually ran into a priest who was on his first stint in the confessional). Pre Vatican II there were priests that read penitents the riot act but usually even then, they were more into forgiveness as long as you seemed truly contrite. Confess, even if it turns out to be a venial sin, you will feel better.

Welcome to Christs church and God bless you.

Patrick
AMDG

 

[LostLilly]

thank you!

 

[InThePew]

I have a specific sin in mind (I’m too ashamed to admit what it is till my confession), and it was of grave matter I believe… but I was probably under 7 years old at the time (can’t remember exactly how old).

The Church treats seven as being about the age of reason but this applies more to receiving the Eucharist than to culpability for sin. So even though a child over the age of seven might know that it’s wrong to steal, their lack of maturity would reduce their culpability, in turn, reducing the seriousness of what they’d done. In other words, we don’t treat children the same as adults when it comes to matters of knowledge and consent. Still, if it bothers you then bring it up and embrace the Lord’s healing mercy.

 

[TheLittleLady]

just talk to the priest in Confession. He knows this is your first Confession, he has helped many other adults through a first Confession.

 

[Kima]

I don´t know about the sin. But I for sure know that it´s better to confess too much, rather than coming to the conclusion that you should have confessed it later on. (I know this by experience). In such a case you would be in need of going to Confession once again. Be completely honest and confess all the possible serious sins that you have in mind no matter the age it was committed.

God bless you!