Ellenrieder, Marie. Jesus als Kinderfreund. 1845. Oil on canvas. Dreifaltigkeitskirche, Konstanz, Germany.
Teach your Child about the Sacrament of Reconciliation
1 Explain to your child that Reconciliation is a Sacrament of healing in which our sins are forgiven and in which we are reconciled with God and the Church.
2 Explain that Jesus granted the apostles and their successors (priests) the authority to forgive and retain sins.
3 Teach child that God is a loving merciful Father who is waiting for us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
4 Teach child how to make an examination of conscience and have them make an examination of conscience at the end of the day as part of their night prayer.
5 Make sure your child learns and memorizes their Act of Contrition (Family Prayer booklet) and that they understand Reconciliation as a way of preparing their soul to receive Jesus in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist.
6 Take your child for a tour of the confessional.
7 Emphasize that the priest will never tell anyone their sins.
Review the Rite of Reconciliation with your child
1 Teach child to make an examination of conscience before going to confession.
2 Enter Confessional, kneel and do the Sign of the Cross.
3 Greet Father and say, “Bless me Father for I have sinned. This is my first Confession.”
4 Confess sins.
5 Priest will talk to child.
6 Child recites Act of Contrition.
7 Priest assigns penance.
8 Absolution of sins.
9 Child thanks priest, exits and does penance.
Examination of Conscience for Children
1) When I make choices, do I sometimes forget about what God wants me to do?
2) Do I pray everyday? Do I pay attention at Mass?
3) Do I try to see God in others?
4) Do I listen to my parents and teachers or do I ignore them?
5) Have I made fun of my brothers and sister or my classmates?
6) Am I selfish at school? Or do I share what I have with others?
7) When I am angry, do I say or do things to hurt whoever has hurt me?
8) Do I say, “I’m sorry” to the person I have hurt and “I forgive you” to the person who has hurt me?
9) Do I play fair or do I ever cheat at school or games?
10) Have I taken something that does not belong to me?
11) Do I tell the whole truth? Or do I lie about things to not get in trouble?
12) Am I jealous of what other people have or do I appreciate all that God has given me?
13) Do I try to do my best in school?
14) Do I thank God for the gifts and talents He has given me?
First Holy Communion Attire
- Girls are to wear a modest, white dress. No spaghetti straps or strapless dresses are to be worn unless accompanied by a vest to cover the shoulder. Dresses must also be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. Sandals may be worn, but no flip flops are allowed. Girls may wear a veil, but the veil must not hit below the elbow.
- Boys are to wear a light or dark suit. Boys should wear shoes appropriate to the occasion. Tennis shoes are not allowed.
Gifts
Our Ave Maria Gift Shop offers First Holy Communion items for boys and girls,
which include rosaries, prayer books, scapulars, candles, bibles, crucifixes,
necklaces, and pendants. Veils and ties are not available in the gift shop.
For more information about hours of operation please call our Ave Maria Gift Shop: (512) 617-5880.
Ellenrieder, Marie. Jesus als Kinderfreund. 1845. Oil on canvas. Dreifaltigkeitskirche, Konstanz, Germany.