Child : (make the sign of the cross)
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
(The priest will say a prayer and then you say)
Bless me Father for I have sinned. This is my first confession. These are my sins:
(Tell Father your sins, then at the end say) That is all. or These are my sins.
(The priest will speak to you about God’s love and give you some advice. Then he will give you a penance. A penance is a prayer or action that you will do right after you are done confession. Completing a penance shows that you are sorry for your sins, and helps you to be better in the future)
Child: My God, I love you with all my heart and I am sorry for all my sins.
Please forgive me. I promise not to sin again. Help me always to be more like you. Amen.
(The priest will give you absolution which means you are absolutely forgiven of all your sins!)
Child : (Make the sign of the cross with the priest) AMEN.
Priest : Go in the peace of Christ. Child : Thanks be to God.
1. How do you feel about making your confession?
2. How do you feel about having all your sins forgiven?
3. What part about confession do you think might be hard? What part is going to be easy? How can your mom or dad help?
4. Imagine Jesus giving you a big hug and telling you your sins are forgiven. Are you excited about confession?
WHAT IS SIN EXACTLY?
Remember a sin is not an accident or a mistake. A sin is when we hurt our relationship with God our loving Father by choosing to do wrong or choosing not to do a good thing we ought to.
What do you think? Is the following an accident, mistake or sin?
1. You study hard for a math test, but when you get it back you notice you got some answers wrong. Mistake
2. You reach across the table to pass your brother/sister the milk. You bump your own glass full of milk while you are reaching. Now there is milk all over the table. Accident.
3. Your parents ask if you cleaned your room as you run out the door to play with a friend. You say "yes I did" while you think (oh I'll just clean in when I get home). Sin (lying specifically)
4. You are at recess and you notice some classmates making fun of another student who isn't considered "cool". You choose to do nothing but watch. Sin (of omission - not doing what you ought to do in Christian charity.)
5. What could you have done different in example 3 and 4? Would it be hard to do those things? Would you be proud of yourself even if it was hard?
FEELINGS VS SINS:
A feeling is not the same thing as a sin. A feeling might give us information about our actions and choices - like when we do something good (we feel proud) or something bad (we feel guilty) but sometimes our feelings get mixed up. We feel good about doing something wrong or guilty over something like a mistake - even if it is not our fault.
Sometimes we get angry. Feeling angry is not a sin... hitting our brother or sister because we feel angry is a sin. We cannot sin "by accident". When you do the examination of conscience - remember, we are confessing our sins, not our feelings. Our feelings are a part of who we are as humans. God made them and they are good. It is our choices and actions that are either good or bad a virtue or a sin. For a choice to be sinful we need to know that we are choosing to do wrong. Again - because we can't sin by accident.
AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR KIDS:
1 : Read the following to help you examine your conscience.
2 : Pray to the Holy Spirit and ask him to help you make a good confession.
3. Write down your sins if it helps (only you needs to see what you have written). Do this in a quiet space where it is easy for you to pray.
https://watch.formed.org/videos/you-are-forgiven-ep-1
There are 6 beautifully done "little clips" on FORMED called "Signs of Grace - you are Forgiven!" We would like you to watch at least the 1st and the 4th video (the links provided here) but you are welcome to watch all 6!
https://watch.formed.org/videos/you-are-forgiven-ep-4
ONE MORE SECTION OF PREPARATION TO GO! YOU ARE ALMOST THERE!
OUR FATHER
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed are you
among women,
And blessed is the fruit
of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
GLORY BE
Glory to the Father
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning,
is now and will be forever.
Amen.
ACT OF CONTRITION
My God,
I love you with all my heart
and I am sorry for my sins.
Please forgive me.
I promise not to sin again.
Help me always
to be more like you.
Amen.