“Jesus calls us to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (CCC 1427).

The sacrament of Penance can be described as a sacrament of healing through which the healing presence of Jesus becomes manifested. Our relationship with our God is restored through the person of Jesus who reconciles us to God and to one another as sisters and brothers in Christ. Jesus continues to welcome us back to the Father, when we have sinned, through this sacrament.

God calls all of the baptized to continuing conversion of heart and formation of conscience. This is also true of our children as they begin to recognize the reality of sin, the express of sorrow and the gift of forgiveness in the day to day relationships within the family system. This formation within the home is supported by the Church as the child continues to discover their connectedness to the Church family.

The norm of the Church is that first sacramental confession should precede the reception of First Eucharist (cf. Canon 914). “It is the responsibility in the first place of parents, and those who take the place of parents as well as the pastor, to see that children who have reached the use of reason are correctly prepared and are nourished by the divine food as early as possible, preceded by sacramental confession.”

>For more information or resources for the preparation and aftercare for the sacrament of Penance, contact Ms. Carol A. Augustine at Caugustine@archbalt.org or 410-547-5403.