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Archbishop_10-K
Guest
When is first confession supposed to be for converts? I mean, are you supposed to receive it with the rest of the sacraments (baptism, confirmation, first communion) or does “first confession” not exist?
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Joe_Kelley
Guest
This depends on whether the convert has been previously baptized and is completing the Sacraments of Initiation or is a Catechumen who is baptized upon entrance to the Church.
One who is Baptized upon entrance to the Church does not confess sins committed prior to baptism. He should confess sins committed after Baptism regularly. This would mean his first Confession should be not later than a year after his first mortal sin after Baptism. My preference would be for about a month after his baptism, but that is a personal judgment.
One who has been Baptized elsewhere and is completing his Sacraments - Eucharist and Confirmation - after a Profession of Faith must Confess his [mortal] sins committed since Baptism before receiving Confirmation and Eucharist. This Confession should occur after proper catechesis - training - in the meaning, procedures and effects of Confession. This will usually occur a few weeks before he receives the other Sacraments. In our diocese Confirmation and Eucharist are administered at the Easter vigil, or soon after. First Confession occurs during Lent.
Hope this make sense. Please ask for clarification if more is needed.
One who is Baptized upon entrance to the Church does not confess sins committed prior to baptism. He should confess sins committed after Baptism regularly. This would mean his first Confession should be not later than a year after his first mortal sin after Baptism. My preference would be for about a month after his baptism, but that is a personal judgment.
One who has been Baptized elsewhere and is completing his Sacraments - Eucharist and Confirmation - after a Profession of Faith must Confess his [mortal] sins committed since Baptism before receiving Confirmation and Eucharist. This Confession should occur after proper catechesis - training - in the meaning, procedures and effects of Confession. This will usually occur a few weeks before he receives the other Sacraments. In our diocese Confirmation and Eucharist are administered at the Easter vigil, or soon after. First Confession occurs during Lent.
Hope this make sense. Please ask for clarification if more is needed.
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Christy_Beth
Guest
When I went through RCIA, those of us that had been previously baptized had our “first confession” about three weeks before our entrance into the church. The priest made it into sort of a big deal. He even got a retired priest to help him on that day so it would go quicker. I can’t remember, exactly, how many in that particular class participated. There were a total of 35 of us entering the church at my parish that year.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Archbishop 10-K:
First Confession is not specified in the Rites. It is necessary first off for a Baptized Christian to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving any other Sacraments. I generally believe that a Baptized Christian should experience this Sacrament during the regular Penance service in most parishes during Lent or Advent or about a week before experiencing the Rite of Reception, if the Rite is celebrated at some other time of the year other than Easter or Christmas season. I also believe that they should also be encouraged to go to Confession again just prior to receiving the Sacraments if it has been more than 3 months since they received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Example: if they receive their first Reconcilaition at the beginning of Advent at the parish Reconciliation service and are not received into the Church until say the end of January.
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Joe_Kelley
Guest
Br. Rich SFO:
I try to get the Candidates and Catechumens to attend the Penitential Services to learn and experience repentance, but advise them not to confess at that time. Generally someone making their first Confession needs more attention than the Confessor can give them at the typical service.
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Edwin1961
Guest
Let me put a different ‘spin’ on this subject.
For Eastern Catholic (Byzantine), since infants receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist all at the same time, we celebrate a child’s First Confession, much like Latin Rite celebrates First Holy Communion. The age of the child is at the same age range as the child receiveing their First Holy Communion in the Latin Rite. (Second Grade).
…just side stepping the topic just a bit for a different perspective on the term…“first confession”…now back to our regularly scheduled thread already in progress.
go with God!
Edwin
For Eastern Catholic (Byzantine), since infants receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist all at the same time, we celebrate a child’s First Confession, much like Latin Rite celebrates First Holy Communion. The age of the child is at the same age range as the child receiveing their First Holy Communion in the Latin Rite. (Second Grade).
…just side stepping the topic just a bit for a different perspective on the term…“first confession”…now back to our regularly scheduled thread already in progress.
go with God!
Edwin
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