This topic was the subject of a thread some time ago, wherein it was disclosed some bishops were permitting their priests to give First Communion to children without the children first having had the benefit of the Sacrament of Confession. Canon 914 has always stated this requirement quite clearly but it is particularly reassuring to note that the new, expanded instructions concerning the Eucharist found in "Redemptionis Sacramentum - On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist" dated March 25, 2004 has reaffirmed this (87) wherein it states:

“The First Communion of children must always be preceded by sacramental confession and absolution.”

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), April 24, 2004

Answers

Bump!

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), April 24, 2004.

I was reading the original Roman Missal the other day and I read that each person was required to come up and confess their sins to the priest before receiving the sacrament. If this is true, then why did that change with the Novus Ordo. It seems like confession is not emphasized enough these days (at least at my parish; only on Saturday) and if someone has committed a sin they want to confess I think it should be offered to them at every Mass (at least I think this is what the Didache suggests) I was wondering if anyone knew if this change in the Novus Ordo is true.

-- jd brabant (joshua123@qwest.net), April 24, 2004.

P.S. I only say this because I read that if someone receives the sacramant unworthily they bring condemnation on themself and profane the Blessed Sacrament. I hate thinking that I might have an unconfessed sin when I receive the Blessed Sacrament but confession in only offered once a week (and I know that I sin each day)

-- jd brabant (joshua123@qwest.net), April 24, 2004.

I believe one receives the sacrament unworthily if one is in mortal sin, not venial. It would be great if confession was offered at every mass everywhere. The indult Tridentine Latin Mass we attend has 2 or 3 priests hearing confessions at each mass. They are each probably in "the box" for 3 hours minimum on Sundays in addition to saying masses. During the week, they are probably there another 5-6 hours. These must be very sinful people ;)

But we also attend the Novus Ordo mass in our hometown as well. While the lone priest does not schedule confession on Sundays, he will always here your confession if you approach him. Even right before mass. He probably dreads seeing my kids approach him all the time right before mass. No actually, I think he enjoys it. If you would like to confess before receiving communion, approach your priest. Don't wait for scheduled hours. You can usually approach any priest, at any time for confession If they are in the rectory, go knock on the door. I've done it myself many times.

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), April 24, 2004.

Just so you youngsters know..in the old days, every Saturday the churches across America were filled to the brim with folks lined up for confessions..they usually started at 4Pm and the priests stayed there until the last person left..in big parishes,that might mean 7 or 8PM..and then confessions were offered again right before Sunday mass..we were taught that venial sins were to be confessed every week and that mortal sins were to be confessed as soon as you could get ahold of a priest to hear your confession..to receive the Holy Eucharist with ANY unconfessed sin upon your soul would be a sacrilege. My, how times have changed.

-- lesley (martchas@hotmail.com), April 24, 2004.

People don't sin as much as in the old days lesley. Come on, you should know that. ;)

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), April 24, 2004.