Requirements for First Confession?

[JDSinSA]

What are the requirements for First Confession per the Magisterium?

We have a 9 year old daughter who is homeschooled with Catholic curriculum and is clearly ready. There was a small program at our parish for the 4th graders but our daughter was not able to finish because of events in our life that just got in the way. The director said we could wait until next year, but I want to make sure I am square on the actual requirements before waiting an entire year.

It does seem that if a child of the appropriate age knows about examination of conscience, true contrition, and how to give a confession, and this can be demonstrated to a priest, this should be ok?

Or, in short, what are the specific requirements?

 

[FrDavid96]

What are the requirements for First Confession per the Magisterium?

We have a 9 year old daughter who is homeschooled with Catholic curriculum and is clearly ready. There was a small program at our parish for the 4th graders but our daughter was not able to finish because of events in our life that just got in the way. The director said we could wait until next year, but I want to make sure I am square on the actual requirements before waiting an entire year.

It does seem that if a child of the appropriate age knows about examination of conscience, true contrition, and how to give a confession, and this can be demonstrated to a priest, this should be ok?

Or, in short, what are the specific requirements?

The requirements are just what you said.

Talk to the pastor (the pastor has to know that she made her first confession before giving her first Communion) and either setup a time, or she can go during scheduled hours. There is no requirement that first confession has to be done “as a class” In fact, if she is indeed ready, confession should not be delayed any longer than absolutely necessary.

Edit: again, talk to the pastor, not the religious ed. director.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

What are the requirements for First Confession per the Magisterium?

We have a 9 year old daughter who is homeschooled with Catholic curriculum and is clearly ready. There was a small program at our parish for the 4th graders but our daughter was not able to finish because of events in our life that just got in the way. The director said we could wait until next year, but I want to make sure I am square on the actual requirements before waiting an entire year.

It does seem that if a child of the appropriate age knows about examination of conscience, true contrition, and how to give a confession, and this can be demonstrated to a priest, this should be ok?

Or, in short, what are the specific requirements?

There may be specific requirements that your Bishop has set down as to age and catechesis on the Sacrament. To receive the Sacrament generally a child must be Baptized and understand the Sacrament they are receiving.

 

[JDSinSA]

Beautiful. Thank you for the replies. I wanted to get a second opinion or two before I called our priest, which is what I’m going to do this week.

 

[puzzleannie]

the child must be of catechetical age, generally age 7 or 2nd grade, understand the nature of sin, the difference between sin and accident, know the commandments and beatitudes and know positive morality–what are the good actions–as well as what is a sin. She must know the nature of the sacrament, that it is an encounter with Jesus, through the priest, wherein he forgives and absolves sin and gives his mercy and grace. And she must know how to confess, what to say and do, how to express contrition, and know that that is. There is no need to go at a set time with a class, those arrangements are made for convenience so that those preparing children for communion can be assured they have confessed first. Call your priest, or simply bring her at any scheduled confession time.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Isn’t 4th grade a little late for the class to be making First Confession? The Church requires it before First Communion.

 

[puzzleannie]

many children make first communion at this age or even later. Half the children in our sacramental program are over the age set by the diocese when they begin their preparation. We have also had children move here from other dioceses where they were allowed to make first communion w/o confession first, so we remedy that situation as well.

 

[quiet52]

What are the requirements for First Confession per the Magisterium?

We have a 9 year old daughter who is homeschooled with Catholic curriculum and is clearly ready. There was a small program at our parish for the 4th graders but our daughter was not able to finish because of events in our life that just got in the way. The director said we could wait until next year, but I want to make sure I am square on the actual requirements before waiting an entire year.

It does seem that if a child of the appropriate age knows about examination of conscience, true contrition, and how to give a confession, and this can be demonstrated to a priest, this should be ok?

Or, in short, what are the specific requirements?

When you call the parish to set up an appointment with the priest, it might be best that you not share this story with the staff members. Some parish secretaries (and other employees) zealously try to answer questions, or insist that you follow established policies, and seem to do all they can do to keep you from “bothering” the pastor.

Reading what I just wrote makes me squirm, but I just don’t know how to re-write it in more positive terms right now.

 

[JDSinSA]

When you call the parish to set up an appointment with the priest, it might be best that you not share this story with the staff members. Some parish secretaries (and other employees) zealously try to answer questions, or insist that you follow established policies, and seem to do all they can do to keep you from “bothering” the pastor.

Reading what I just wrote makes me squirm, but I just don’t know how to re-write it in more positive terms right now.

Well, that is exactly the ‘red tape’ I was hoping to avoid myself. I will heed your advice, thank you kindly.

 

[FrDavid96]

Well, that is exactly the ‘red tape’ I was hoping to avoid myself. I will heed your advice, thank you kindly.

That’s precisely why you need to see the pastor in-person and in-private; not by way of a phone call.