FIRST RECONCILIATION CEREMONY
A Community Celebration of the Second Rite
of Reconciliation
PRAYER OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING INTRODUCTION
Good evening and welcome to our First Reconciliation Ceremony. A special
God our Father, welcome to Father and our visiting priests.
We praise you! Please stand and join in our Opening Hymn “MY SHEPHERD.”
We think you are wonderful and kind and good.
Each day you show us GREETING AND WELCOME
How great you are and
OPENING PRAYER
How much you love us. Lord God of forgiveness, we ask that you bless each of these children as
You are always good, they come to celebrate the new hope you offer through the Sacrament of
And you always keep your promise. Penance for the First Time. In your mercy and love, heal them and bring
them to fullness of Life in you.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
I trust you to forgive me All: Amen
When I choose to do things that hurt others.
Help me to be more like you and to live with you
CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD
forever. A Reading from St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians [3:12-15]
We gather together with those we love on this Brothers and sisters:
day God loves you and has chosen you as God’s own special people.
So be gentle, kind, humble, meek and patient.
To celebrate your gift of forgiveness through the Put up with each other,
Sacrament of Penance. And forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.
You are truly a loving Father who cares for all Love is more important than anything else.
our needs. It is what ties everything completely together.
Thank you for so much love. Each one of you is part of the Body of Christ, and you were chosen to live
Help us to love as you do together in peace. So, let the peace that comes from Christ control your
I ask this in Jesus’ name. thoughts.
And be grateful.
Amen This is the Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: [Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34] All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Response: Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord. ALL SIT
Lord you bless everyone who lives right and obeys your HOMILY
law.
You bless all of those who follow your commands from EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
deep in their hearts. I now invite everyone present to examine your conscience by reflecting on:
Response: Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord. the good you have done
You have ordered us always to obey your teachings; the difficulties you experience in trying to do what is right
I don’t ever want to stray from your laws. the wrong you have done
Response: Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord.
- at home
Treat me with kindness, Lord, so that I may live and do - at school
what you say. Open my mind and let me discover the - with your friends
wonders of your law. Reflect on the things you would like to say sorry to God for and ask God’s
Response: Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord.
forgiveness.
Point out your rules to me, and I won’t disobey even one of
them. ACT OF REPENTANCE
Help me to understand your law; I promise to obey it with
all my heart. God our Father
Response: Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord. We ask your forgiveness for the times we have not lived as Jesus taught.
We are sorry for the times we have turned away from your love
Please stand to welcome the Gospel and the love of others.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Welcome us back and give us your peace and healing.
Alleluia, Alleluia We ask this through Jesus your Son. Amen.
“Happy are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.”
Alleluia.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (sung)
GOSPEL: [Luke 15 (3-7) The Lost Sheep]
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them – what
do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go
looking for the one that got lost until you find it. “When you find it, you are
so happy that you put it on your shoulders and carry it back home”. Then
you call your friends and neighbours together and say to them “I am so
happy I found my lost sheep. Let us celebrate!” In the same way, I tell
you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
The priests go to the place(s) assigned for individual confession.
Priests sit at each of four tables.
Children will come and sit next to priest.
They will bring their First Reconciliation Certificate with them.
The Child will say: “Good evening Father”.
Priest responds.
The Child will say: For the times I have “…..” and will mention one or two
things they have done wrong.
Child to say Act of Contrition.
Priest gives child a suitable penance and then gives Absolution.
As each child returns to their place in Church, they kneel with their family and
say the following prayers and their penance (if appropriate).
Then they may leave the Church.
BLESSING & DISMISSAL
Recessional Hymn: “A Little Talk With Jesus” (Gospel Praise Songs)
