Bringing Your Family Back to Confession
A practical guide for parents and children who want to prepare for Confession together, whether it has been a few months, a few years or long enough that you are not completely sure what happens anymore.
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You do not have to remember everything before you go.
Many parents want Confession to be part of their children’s Catholic life and then realize they have fallen out of the habit themselves. That does not have to keep your family away. You do not need perfect words or a perfect spiritual life before returning to the sacrament.
Everything you need to prepare together.
The goal is to take away some of the uncertainty so you can focus less on remembering the process and more on preparing honestly for the sacrament.
A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
What happens from the moment you enter the confessional through absolution, explained in plain language.
Examination for Adults
A practical examination of conscience to help you prepare honestly without turning preparation into an overwhelming checklist.
Examination for Children
A second examination written simply enough for children to understand and use as they prepare for Confession.
Help Returning After Years Away
What to say when it has been a long time and how to approach the sacrament when you feel nervous, embarrassed or unsure.
You want Confession to become normal for your family again.
- You want to take your children to Confession but realize you need a refresher too.
- Your child understands the basic idea of Confession but needs help preparing in language they can actually understand.
- It has been years since your own last Confession and you are unsure how to begin again.
- You want your family to approach the sacrament with honesty and trust rather than fear of saying everything perfectly.
A few things may help before you go.
The guide handles the practical preparation. These pages can help with the questions that often come before it.
Returning After Years Away
Not sure what to say or what to expect after a long time away from the sacrament? Start here.
Read the guide →Why Confess to a Priest?
Understand why Catholics confess their sins to a priest and what the Church teaches about Christ’s gift of reconciliation.
Understand Confession →Act of Contrition
Review the traditional prayer of sorrow and resolve commonly prayed during or after Confession.
Pray the Act of Contrition →Preparation should help, not create more fear.
An examination of conscience is meant to help a person honestly recognize sin and prepare to receive God’s mercy. It does not need to become an interrogation, a test or a way for parents to collect a list of what their children plan to confess.
Give your child enough guidance to understand the sacrament and prepare thoughtfully, while allowing Confession itself to remain between the penitent, the priest and God.
Take the guide with you.
Download the PDF and use it whenever your family is ready to prepare for Confession. No signup, subscription or email address required.
Download the Free GuidePDF download