| 10. At this stage, children will normally
be introduced to the sacrament of penance through the communal
(2nd) rite in a simplified form.
Reconciliation has both a personal and a communal/ecclesial
dimension. It involves one's relationship with God, and also
one's relationship with the people with whom one lives, works
and plays. Hence each experience of the sacrament needs to
incorporate both the personal and the communal/ecclesial
dimensions explicitly.
The communal (2nd) rite provides for this admirably. The
children are part of a small group of several families. The
group is led through the readings, homily and guided examination
of conscience'' to see how their choices and actions have
sometimes hurt others, how this is against God's loving plan
for them and how they need to "say sorry" and be forgiven
- both by God and those they have failed.
Each person in the group individually approaches the priest
to express this sorrow, to receive the healing laying-on
of hands and the words of forgiveness, I absolve you
from your sins ... The child preparing for confirmation
and communion simply does likewise. It is usually best for
the priest to be in full view (for example, seated in the
presider's chair in the sanctuary) rather than in a closed
reconciliation room. This is much less daunting for adults
and children, and saves time.
Through regular experience of the sacrament in this form,
children are soundly formed in their grasp of the elements
of the sacrament, and are gradually prepared for the celebration
of individual reconciliation when they are more capable of
accepting personal responsibility for sin and of appreciating
its social consequences even in a non-communal setting. Celebrating
the rite with small groups will mean that the liturgy is
not too long for younger children who are capable only of
limited attention spans.
The (3rd) rite with general confession and general absolution
is inappropriate for younger children. The individual element
is lost, and in their concrete stage of thinking they cannot
appreciate that they themselves have actually received the
sacrament; instead, a penitential service without sacramental
absolution may assist a child to be aware of sin and to pray
for forgiveness. |
