IMPORTANCE 0F EXPLAINING THE SACRAMENT 0F PENANCE TO CHILDREN

3 When a child begins to offend God by 5m, he also begins to have the desire of receiving pardon, not only from parents or relatives, but also from God. Catechesis helps him by nourishing this desire wholesomely, and if instills a holy aversion to sin, an awareness of the need for amendment, and especially love for God. The special task of catechesis here is to explain in a suitable way that sacramental Confession is a means offered children of the Church in obtain pardon for sin, and furthermore that if is even necessary per se if one has fallen info serious 5m. To be sure, Christian parents and religious educators ought to teach the child in such a way that above all he will strive to advance to a more intimate love of the Lord Jesus and to genuine love of neighbor. The doctrine on the sacrament of Penance i5 to be presented in a broad framework of affiancing purification and spiritual growth with great confidence in the mercy and love of God. In this way, children not only can little by little acquire a delicate understanding of conscience, but do not lose heart when they fall info some lessen fault.

The Eucharist is the summit and center of the entire Christian life. In addition to the required state of grace, great purity of soul is cleanly fitting for the reception of Communion. One must be very careful, however, that the children do not get the impression that Confession is necessary before receiving the Eucharist even when one sincerely loves God and has not departed from the path of God’s commandments in a serious way.