Your Child’s Reconciliation &
First Communion Journey

Greetings Families!

We are so excited to help you and your child prepare for First Communion starting with your child’s upcoming Sacrament of Reconciliation!

In preparation, please take a moment to review key information that will help you anticipate what to expect upon you and your child’s arrival at the church on Reconciliation day (please refer to your child’s school Reconciliation date below).

Dates for Reconciliation (all at 6:30):
Lumen Christi – Tuesday February 7
Our Lady of Fatima – Wednesday February 8
St Benedict – Thursday February 9
St. Scholastica – Wednesday February 15
Guardian Angels – Thursday February 16

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

 WHAT IS THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION?

– A Sacrament is “an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.” Simply put, a sacrament is an opportunity to share in the very life of God.

– The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance or Confession) is our joyful celebration of God’s continuing forgiveness. It implies for us a change of heart, and the desire to turn to God again.

– God calls us to live a life of happiness (grace), united with Him and with one another.  Although we long for this happiness, we find that we keep going against God and hurting others, instead of living with them in peace and love.  This is what we call sin.

– The fact that we keep turning back to God means that we don’t accept this sinfulness.  When we honestly admit that we have failed, we open ourselves to the pardon and reconciliation that Christ won for us.  The healing presence of God is always with us, giving us assurance that sin can be overcome.

– In seeking forgiveness, we open our hearts once again to God and allow ourselves to be filled with His presence and peace.

UPON ARRIVAL

– On the day of your child’s First Reconciliation, please proceed directly into the church and be seated.

– The parish priest will conduct a short liturgy and discuss the families and children the significance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

– After which, the children receiving the Sacrament will be direct to choose a priest and complete their Sacrament of Reconciliation.

– Cue cards with The Act of Contrition will be available to each child.

– Please review with your child how to pray the Hail Mary for penance.

– All penance will take place on a first come first serve basis.

– All students receiving First Communion should endeavour to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving the Eucharist.

RECONCILIATION

Below is brief outline of what the students will say to the priest in Reconciliation:

Upon choosing a priest and sitting with the priest for confession, the following will occur…

 CELEBRATION OF PENANCE

Priest:               In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Child:                 Bless me Father for I have sinned. These are my sins………
(The next time they come to confession the child says how long it has been since his/her last confession.)
The child now tells the Priest his/her sins.  At the end he/she says:
For these and all my sins I am truly sorry.

Priest:               The Priest will now talk with the child about their sins and about trying to do better. Then the Priest will give the child his/her penance.

Act of Contrition:
Priest:               The Priest will now ask the child to make an Act of Contrition.

Child:                 O my God, I am truly sorry for all my sins, for what I have done and for what I have failed to do.  I will sincerely try to do better.

Please help me to walk by your light. Amen

Priest:               The Priest says the Prayer of Absolution, forgiving the child’s sins, ending with “Go in the peace of Christ”

Child:                 Thank you, Father.

The child goes to a pew in the church or the kneeler pads by the Tabernacle,
kneels down and says his/her penance.

Once penance is completed, your child and family are free to leave the church.

We look forward to seeing your child again at their First Communion!

Remember to check your child’s school First Communion date HERE.

P.S.  Be an official part of the St. Benedict Parish community and register online as a St. Benedict parishioner HERE.  Also, please consider supporting the parish with a one-time or regular donation HERE.  We rely solely on donations to operate the parish so, every much-needed donation is greatly appreciated!