The Diocese

DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES DIOCESAN POLICY STATEMENT
GUIDELINES FOR THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

"Jesus began His work on earth by calling people to repentance and faith; "Reform your lives and believe in the gospel" (Mk 1:15).  Conversion means turning from sin toward Him - present in His Church, in the Eucharist, in His works, and in our neighbor - with love and a desire for Penance."

"Jesus began His risen life by giving His apostles power to forgive sins (Jn 20:23).  “Catechesis for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation first depends on the person’s acknowledgment of God’s faithful love, of the existence of sin, of the capacity to commit sin, and of God’s power to forgive sin and reconcile the sinner with himself and with the Church”  (National Directory for Catechesis 132).

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE FOR CHILDREN

  1. Every baptized child has the right to approach the Sacrament of Penance at the "age of discretion," (Quam Singulari, 1910).  Each parish community has the responsibility of providing a program to prepare children for the first reception of this sacrament (Canon 777).  Because any person is required to celebrate this sacrament only when she/he is in the condition of serious sin (Canon 988), the right of the child and his/her freedom not to confess, must be scrupulously respected.
  2. Catechesis should respect the age and ability of each individual child.  The parish First Penance Program should provide the children with texts, approved by the Bishop, which present the current teaching of the Church concerning Penance.  Catechesis for First Penance should:
    1. Teach the relationship of the sacrament to the child’s own life.  This would include an understanding of sin and oneself as a sinner, an understanding of personal free will, choice and responsibility, and an understanding of the infinite love of God, with an emphasis on God's merciful love and forgiveness.  This sacrament is to be presented as a graced moment to celebrate that love and forgiveness.
    2. Teach the difference between right and wrong.
    3. Teach the presence of good and evil in the world and their potential within each person’s life.
    4. Teach the importance of repentance of wrongdoing by turning to the forgiveness of Christ and the Church.
    5. Teach that faith is demonstrated in this sacrament by accepting forgiveness and forgiving others.
    6. Teach the child to approach the sacrament freely. 
    7. Teach the meaning of the various parts and how to celebrate the Rite of Penance (NDC 135-136).
  3. “…Young children and persons with mental disabilities often are conscious of committing acts that are sinful to some degree and may experience a sense of guilt and sorrow.  As long as the individual is capable of having a sense of contrition for having committed sin, even if he or she cannot describe the sin precisely in words, the person may receive sacramental absolution.  Those with profound mental disabilities, who cannot experience even minimal contrition, may be invited to participate in penitential services with the rest of the community to the extent of their ability”  (Guidelines for the
    Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities 15).
  4. Parents are the primary educators of their children (Christian Education, paragraph 3, Vatican II document).  As such, they are responsible, together with parish priests, parish catechetical leaders, and catechists, for preparing their children for the Sacrament of Penance, and for determining the readiness of their children to celebrate the sacrament.  Parents are expected to participate in the preparation program of their respective parish.  Specifics of this preparation can be found in APPENDIX 406.
  5. Catechesis for the preparation for this sacrament is to remain clearly separate from introductory catechesis for the Sacrament of Eucharist, (NDC 135).  To emphasize this distinction, the programs of specific sacramental catechesis for each sacrament and the first celebration of each should be separated by a significant interval of time.  This will help avoid the misconception that Penance is always a prerequisite for Eucharist.
  6. It is recommended that simple communal celebrations of sorrow and forgiveness to the needs and understanding of the young child be employed in this catechesis (cf. Rite of Penance, Appendix II, Section VI, vi).  Catechists and parents may not only help plan these services but also preside at them.  This catechesis is to be considered only the beginning of a developmental education process intended to continue into adult life.
  7. The first celebration of Penance should be within the context of a communal penance service as found in the Rite of Penance, Form II.  It is recommended that such communal celebrations include adult participation in addition to the participation of children.  Every effort should be made by the pastor, other involved priests, coordinators, catechists, and parents to provide a positive experience for these children.

FIRST RECEPTION OF PENANCE BY AN ADULT

 Adults should be appropriately prepared for first reception of the Sacrament of Penance.

ONGOING CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

  1. Catechesis for the Sacrament of Penance and the opportunity for the celebration should be regularly available for all in the parish, not only on weekends but also on weekdays.
  2. Conversion is a life long process; therefore, catechesis for this sacrament should be throughout the catechetical years, providing children with a fuller understanding and appreciation for this sacrament (NDC 136).
  3. The opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance should be offered on a regular basis in every parish.  A well publicized schedule of the appointed times for the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance should be available and also include means by which the sacrament can be celebrated at other times and when needed.

PARISH GUIDELINES

Parishes are to write and publish their own guidelines for the catechesis for the Sacrament of Penance in accord with these diocesan guidelines and in consultation with the Diocesan Office of Religious Education and the Dean.

Promulgated:  April 23, 2008
Effective:  July 1, 2008       


 +Glen John Provost
 Bishop of Lake Charles


DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR
FIRST PENANCE
Appendix 406

Children (those in Catholic schools, those being home-schooled, those in parish religious education programs) must register in their own parishes during the specified registration period indicating they are to celebrate First Penance.

“Because they gave life to their children, parents have the most serious obligation and the right to educate them.  It is therefore primarily the responsibility of Christian parents to ensure the Christian education of their children in accordance with the teaching of the Church”  (Canon 226, §2).

“The Church has in a special way the duty and the right of educating, for it has a divine mission of helping all to arrive at the fullness of Christian life”  (Canon 794, §1).

“The diocesan Bishop is bound to teach and illustrate to the faithful the truths of faith which are to be believed and applied to behavior.  He is himself to preach frequently.  He is also to ensure that the provisions of the canons on the ministry of the word, especially on the homily and catechetical instruction, are faithfully observed, so that the whole of Christian teaching is transmitted to all”  (Canon 386, §1).

In order to fulfill and respect the above norms, each parish will develop and implement a program of instruction for parents in which the following will be accomplished:

  • Parents are expected to gather for the number of sessions determined by the pastor;
  • Materials will be distributed to assist the parents to understand the current teaching of the Church concerning the Sacrament of Penance;
  • The texts which present the current teaching of the Church concerning the Sacrament of Penance will be those approved by the Bishop for the instruction of children;
  • These texts and instructions will be given to the parents at the prescribed meetings;
  • A required component of each parish program will be an interview with the child by the pastor or his delegate at the conclusion of the formation;
  • Prior to the interview, parents will be informed that the results of the interview will determine the child’s participation in the celebration of First Penance.

Parents who disagree with the decision of the pastor or his delegate concerning the readiness of their child to celebrate First Penance may appeal to the Dean of the Deanery in which the parish is located.


Promulgated:  April 23, 2008

Effective:  July 1, 2008       

 

+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles