Requesting Early First Reconciliation for Adult?

[HAnne]

I am struggling. I have been working with my son on his First Reconciliation prep these past few weeks and we have greatly enjoyed learning together about our new Catholic faith.

That said, we are now at a point in the “program” where they want me to teach him how to do his First Reconciliation, what to expect, etc.

I am at a loss. I have helped him with the daily Examination of Conscience and have been doing one for myself as well each evening but I don’t know how to explain to him what to expect from a sacrament I have never participated in! I have felt a need to go to Confession as soon as possible myself for my first, but being that my classes have not even started yet, I’m not sure how to handle this.

My classes, when they start in January, will be one on one with me and the educational director. It’s not like I’m “skipping ahead of the others” if I do this. I have had a valid baptism so as far as I understand it, this would be the “next Sacrament” on the “list” for lack of a better term.

Would it be completely out of line for me to ask our priest if I could do my First Reconciliation now so I have a better idea of what to tell my son to expect? I feel ready to do it and have done an in depth Examination of Conscience to prepare. I feel I need to do it. I just don’t want to upset anyone by trying to “rush” things.

Any advice?

 

[Catholic1954]

Welcome Home! You should call and make an appointment with the priest to discuss this. He will be in the best position to decide if you are ready for your first reconciliation and then you can make arrangements with him to do it. If you know any Catholics, you can also ask them about what to expect. Usually, if you tell the priest that this is your first time, he will be more than happy to walk you through it. It isn’t a big deal, but there are a few procedures and prayers that you should know about before you go.

 

[Bbigam]

Would it be completely out of line for me to ask our priest if I could do my First Reconciliation now so I have a better idea of what to tell my son to expect? I feel ready to do it and have done an in depth Examination of Conscience to prepare. I feel I need to do it. I just don’t want to upset anyone by trying to “rush” things.

Any advice?

You would certainly not be out of line to ask the priest about doing your first Reconciliation early. He would be out of line if he acted like he thought you were out of line for asking!

That said, he’s under no obligation to simply say yes, either. As priest and pastor, it is his duty to ensure that you are ready to receive the sacraments, so he should at least have a good conversation with you about your understandings of the Sacrament and ensure that you really get it.

I entered the Church at the Easter Vigil this past April 2010. I started going to confession regularly in summer of 2009, with Father’s permission. When he understood that I understood the Sacrament and really desired it (and was validly baptized), he was more than willing to let me go. RCIA candidates in our parish usually make their first confession at the Penance Service either in Advent or Lent - so I was 5-8 months ahead of schedule. It really made a difference for the better in fighting temptation!

Welcome to the Church! I hope you learn and receive the full riches of the Catholic faith, and can make frequent use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation starting as soon as possible!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I directed RCIA for several years. It was my understanding that a candidate needed to be instructed on the sacrament of Penance and have a full understanding of sin: mortal and venial, Commandments, etc. before making his first Confession. We usually covered these things between Christmas and Lent; so they could go to confession during Lent. However, if a confessor felt the person had a good grasp of these things, I would have no objection to him going earlier.

As Catholic 1954 suggested, call your priest and ask him. If he is agreeable have him hear your confession, and he can judge if your knowledge is adequate. Everyone needs some guidance on their first Confession; so don’t expect to get it perfect.

 

[HAnne]

You’re all so wonderful!!!

I have been studying extensively on Reconciliation - primarily so I can answer my son’s questions and secondarily so that I can be ready for when it’s “my turn”.

I’ll see if I can talk to our priest about his tomorrow. He usually comes over and personally welcomes our family each Mass we attend since we’re the “newbies”. That and we share a sense of humor and usually share a giggle of some kind before Mass.

Whatever his answer I will completely understand. It’s more a matter of me trying NOT to look like a complete idiot when I ask him. I view my entry into the Catholic Church along the lines of when I moved to a foreign country. I understand some of the customs and get some of the stuff right some of the time but the more I can learn and ask in advance, the better off we’ll ALL be!

Thanks again to all of you!!!