First Reconciliation

I'm so proud of my little girl! Last night, we celebrated K's First Reconciliation (also known as First Confession or First Penance). After CCD last week, she said she was ready and not nervous. But the last night, that all changed. I could tell she was uncomfortable once we got to church because she started putting her fingers in her mouth and biting her nails. The priest talked about sins and tried to comfort all the kids. She relaxed a bit after the discussion, but then the 6 priests (2 from our church, and 4 visiting) all went to different corners of the church. We, as a family, were to line up next to the one that you wanted to receive the Sacrament of Penance from. K only wanted to go to a priest from our church. She was familiar with them, so we did whatever would make her feel comfortable. Although we did end up at the end of one of the longer lines!

K's friend from playgroup (M&M) was also there, in another line. And then K's dad went off in another direction to another priest while we waited. It was good that K saw people she knew participating.

Bubs decided he wanted to go up too. He was feeling left out. Until I told him what K was going up there to talk to the priest about. I said, "She's going to tell him the things that she is sorry for. Have you done something wrong? Do you want to tell the priest what you did and that you are sorry?" He quickly shook his head no and said he then didn't want to go. But after talking it through, I told him I would take him up there and we could get a blessing from the priest. He was ok with that. I wanted him to be comfortable too. Hopefully he'll be going through this in 2 year, so I didn't want to scare him out of it!

When it was time for K to go up to the priest, I really could see that she was scared. She gripped the arms of the chair tightly and sat on the very edge of the seat. But she had a smile on her face the entire time. I was nervous for her, afraid her nerves would cause her to break down any second. But she was strong! And then a few minutes later it was all over! What do you know, right away, she asked to go visit another priest! I guess thats a good sign. She's comfortable with the experience.

Bubs & I went right after her and the priest said a prayer and gave us a blessing. Near the end, Bubs spoke up and said, "I have something to say." We looked at him and told him to go ahead. He quietly said "Priest, I'm sorry." It was very sweet and sincere. But he didn't want to elaborate on that, so we left it at that. I told the priest that he will be back in 2 years and we were off. Bubs then said he wanted to go to another priest too! It was time to go home.

But overall it was a very good experience for all. I always pictured confession like in the movies, a dark, cold box with a hole in the wall to talk to the priest through. This was a great first experience for K. One step closer to her 1st Eucharist in May!