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Practice for First Reconciliation
Step by Step guide for going to confession:
-Examine conscience (an examination can be found below)
-Enter Confessional
Kneel or Sit. Make or says the sign of the cross with Father
-Say, "Forgive me Father for I have sinned"
After the first confession, one would share how long it's been since one's last confession
-Confess sins
Both the sin itself and the number of times the sin was committed (if one remembers the number)
-Listen
-Most times the Preist will share spiritual advice on gaining a sense of freedom from a sin or multiple sins confessed.
-Penance
-He will give a penance to do after one has confessed (commonly it's a Hail Mary or Our Father.)
-Act of contrition
-The Priest will prompt you to say the act of contrition (Written Act's of contrition can be found below.)
-Conclusion
-After the act of contrition is finished, Father will say the prayer below, and once he's done your free to leave the confessional.
God, the Father of Mercies,
Through the death and resurrection of his Son,
Has reconciled the world to himself
And sent the Holy Spirit among us
For the forgiveness of sins;
Through the ministry of the Church
Man God give you pardon and peace,
And I absolve you from your sin
In the name of the Father, of of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit, Amen
(Rite of Penance)
Children's Examination of Conscience
An important part of the preparation for confession, whether it is first or fortieth, is an examination of conscience. It is easy though, to be distracted or forgetful while doing an examination of conscience. For this reason, recommended lists of questions or meditations are created. The basic outline always follows the Ten Commandments. These also provide a good framework for teaching your child about confession and teaching a early or simple definition of sin. The following is an examination of conscience created for children, source unknown.
Responsibilities to God.
Have I prayed every day?
Have I prayed my morning and night prayers?
Have I prayed with my parents and family?
Have I been moody and rebellious about praying and going to church on Sunday?
Have I asked the Holy Spirit to help me whenever I have been tempted to sin?
Have I asked the Holy Spirit to help me do what is right?
Responsibilities to others
Have I been obedient and respectful to my parents?
Have I lied or been deceitful to them or to others?
Have I been arrogant, stubborn or rebellious?
Have I talked back to parents, teachers or other adults?
Have I pouted and been moody?
Have I been selfish toward my parents, brothers and sisters, teachers or my friends?
Have I hit anyone?
Have I held grudges or not forgiven others?
Have I treated other children with respect or have I made fun of them and called them names?
Have I used bad language?
Have I stolen anything? Have I returned it?
Have I performed my responsibilities: Have I done my homework? Done my household chores? Have I tidied up my rom and my toys when asked?
Have I been helpful and affectionate toward my family?
Have I been kind and generous with my friends?
Fake Sins for practice:I put my cat in the dryer.
I called my brother/sister a bad name.
I said the Lord’s name in anger while playing a video game.
I stole my sister’s diary and read it.
I did not make my bed after my mom told me
I kicked a kid from my neighborhood.
I kept talking in school after my teacher told me to not talk during class.
I stole my sister’s diary and read it.
Act of Contrition:
There are a number of acts of contrition available to use. If your child has already learned an act of contrition that's great! They can use that one. But my recommendation is to give them an act of contrition that they can better understand. When they are better disposed to understanding the meaning of a more complex act of contrition then teach them that one.
I say this because the language in the more traditional act of contrition is more precise and much richer in what one is doing in confession and what God is doing and what you will promise to do going forward. Below there are 3 options to learn.
-I encourage memorization but I understand the prayer is a lot to memorize, so your child has the option to bring a copy of the act of contrition with them. I will also print off the three below and give them to Father to share with your child.Two examples of an act of contrition for young people:
1) Dear God, I am sorry for all my sins. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. I am sorry for the good things I have failed to do. I will do better with your help. Amen.
2) My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
Traditional Act of Contrition:3) O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.