Catholic Communion/Confession?

Question

I have been asking around and in Catholic schools, kids get Communion in 2nd grade and Reconciliation in 4th grade--but are taught you can't receive Communion without confession? So for two years they are sinning in not getting confession before communion? Why is that?

No disrespect meant and thank you in advance for answering

Answer 1

Used to be the other way around back in the day lol, but I suspect that the view of age appropriateness has been updated. That would roughly translate into the belief that children can benefit from Communion, but are not advanced enough in their understanding of morality to be likely to have sinned. Sin is not just an action; it requires knowledge (uderstanding) and will.

Answer 2

I guess the logic is that very young kids don't understand sin. Jesus said you had to be like little children.

When you're 5 a girl takes baths with her brother. She won't do that at age 15!

Also you have to understand the issues. Comprehension is a part of it.

I didn't realize they did this so soon. I thought it would be closer to the teen years like the JEwish and PRoestants do.

I mean the tradition stems from the Jewish one of Bar Mitzvah where you become an Adult and can be in the Temple on your own. You accept G-d and the Religion willingly as an adult.

It's a coming of age thing.

Most of the first communion girls I've seen looked to be 11 or older. I didn't think it was that young!

Answer 3

Traditionally, a person should make their first Reconciliation before their first Communion. If a person is accountable enough to receive Communion, he or she is accountable enough for their actions and should confess any sins.

Answer 4

This sounds more like a local issue to me in how your catechism program is administered. Generally speaking, a Catholic should go to confession before communion if he or she has committed a grave sin. The best place for you to get this information is in the Catholic Catechism. Good luck.

Answer 5

You need to consult with a priest and provide the facts of your divorce. If you did not instigate the divorce but live in a state with "no-fault divorce" laws (basically means you can't stop it once your spouse has filed) and didn't want the divorce, then you are an abandoned spouse and as long as you never remarry, you can certainly receive the Sacraments at any time. If you instigated the divorce, it would depend on whether you did so for personal safety or the safety of your kids or something like that -- in which case it was an act of protection and you're free to receive Sacraments -- or if you did so for some frivilous reason.

Answer 6

none taken,
When a question is asked about a believe and practise that those that are good Catholics in the life of Christ, are following a program that was set out by people 2000 years ago who practised this belief with every bit of their heart, people who would rather die than change their beliefs. these are the mysteries of our families souls and creeds. We Catholics do not appear to be as strong as other religions but never underestimate our determination or Family responsibilities as a Father or mother to give our children what the Holy Trinity had given us. some issues in the process may appear to be flawed but if you are to have an opinion you must learn all aspects of how and why it is the way it is.

Answer 7

LOL. I know just what you mean. I hear kids confessions all of the time. They are kinda cute. But you are correct...if they are going to be consistent, they should require Confession, too. It is one of the reasons I like the Anglican system of delaying Communion until Confirmation.