Review article
First Communicants and Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Josip Šimunović
Marija Medved
Abstract
The authors of this article reflect upon preparation of first communicants for the sacrament of reconciliation. The experience of first confession is important in the (religious) life of first communicants because they carry this experience with them and it can influence their motivations for further celebration of the sacrament. It is therefore extremely important that the preparation for first confession be well organized with an emphasis on God’s love and mercy, on God's initiative in reconciliation, and the fact that confession allows us to be true sons and daughters of the heavenly Father.
In this respect, the article deals with the distant, near, immediate and intensive preparation for the sacrament of confession. Further preparation begins in the family and its justification lies in the following institutions of the child’s socialization: kindergarten, primary school and parish community.
Closer and more immediate and intense preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation primarily takes place in the parish community within the year of first communion. Furthermore, denominational religious instruction in school can also (and should!) contribute to a better and more systematic preparation for this sacrament.
Keywords
first communicants; preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation; on-going preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation; proximate and direct preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation; parents; religious instruction in the school; parish catechesis
Hrčak ID:
113057
URI
Publication date:
20.12.2010.
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