Reconciliation and children

[a83192]

How can you encourage your children to frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation without giving them the impression that you are forcing them to do it? How do you encourage them to frequent this Sacrament throughout of their lives.

 

[ACanthony]

Great question. I think when trying to explain to anyone the necessity to do something you view as important, if you phrase it as “you need to do this” it probably won’t go over well. But, if you provide your testimony, that is in this particular situation if you explain to your child what confession does for you and the benefits it gives you (and others) and how it helps you in your spiritual journey, that probably would be more beneficial. They would also respect you for not forcing it on them too. Also, pray that the Holy Spirit moves them to frequent the confession. We can’t do much without the urging of the Holy Spirit! God bless.

 

[1love]

My husband and I go to confession at least once a month and bring all the kids with us. We make a day of it because we frequently go to a parish about an hour away to see our spiritual director. The children have a chance to go to confession, then when we’re all finished, we go to a playground and have lunch or dinner. I have never said “WE ARE GOING TO CONFESSION TODAY AND YOU MUST GO” but I do encourage them to do so by saying something like, “It’s been about a month since you’re last confession and we’re going to see Fr. _____ on Wednesday; I’d like you to consider going unless you really can’t think of anything to confess.” They almost always go…I think there was only one time when one of them did not, because they had gone so recently that they couldn’t think of anything to confess.

We often do an examination of conscience as a family. I found one online and printed it, and I will go down the list, skipping any that are not relevant to young children, and pause after each question to give us all time to reflect. No one answers aloud. This regular examination helps the children to be aware of the state of their conscience so when it is time for confession, they feel more prepared.

 

[R_C]

How can you encourage your children to frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation without giving them the impression that you are forcing them to do it? How do you encourage them to frequent this Sacrament throughout of their lives.

Well, maybe mentioning how amazing it was that so many saints grew in friendship with Christ by going to Confession often - even every week - even if they were only aware of minor offenses of imperfections How they did not see it as a duty to fulfill just after falling in a grave sin, but rather as a special place to meet with the Lord and reaffirm our friendship and devotion to Him every time we felt something was not well in our relationship with Him.

Also by mentioning that the Lord is always so pleased in giving special graces to become more holy if we have a special devotion for the Sacrament of Confession.

I do not have children, though, so I don’t know if it will work

 

[godisgood77]

This is a difficult thing for certain… I do not think it is ok to force or manipulate children to go as sincerety is greatly diminished when not chosen freely.

Children receive the sacrament upon reaching the age of reason. The idea is that they can now choose to go on there own accord. As parents, we have the opportunity to provide an example by attending at least once a year (as the Church teaches) and offer the opportunity to go to confession. Manipulating or forcing our children to go is a sin in and of itself if you ask me…

 

[HolyRosaryChild]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++

God’s Spirit is in my heart,
He has called me and set me apart.
This is what I have to do,
what I have to do.

He sent me to give the Good News to the poor,
Tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
Tell blind people that they can see,
And set the downtrodden free
And go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come,
And go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come.

Just as the Father sent me,
So I’m sending you out to be
My witnesses throughout the world,
The whole of the world.

Don’t worry what you have to say,
Don’t worry because on that day
God’s Spirit will speak in your heart,
Will speak in your heart.