Family Faith

Preparing for Reconciliation
Since my daughter was preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I wanted her to understand what an examination of conscience is. I also wanted her to be familiar with the meanings of the following words: contrition, confession, penance, and absolution.

Because quiz shows have become so popular, I decided to ask the questions in the form of a game. If you would like to use the following with your child, I strongly recommend it. Playing this game changed what could have been a tedious task of memorizing into a fun activity.

We ended the game by reading story of the Lost Sheep. (Luke 15:4-6)

1. An examination of conscience is
a. a test about Reconciliation.
b. a way to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
c. getting a gift for Reconciliation.
d. a good grade in Religion.

2. Contrition is
a. the eighth sacrament.
b. a mortal sin.
c. a venial sin.
d. sorrow for our sins.

3. Confession is
a. telling our sins to God by telling them to the priest.
b. a sin against the second commandment.
c. one of the prayers we know.
d. not a sacrament.

4. Penance is
a. one of the Ten Commandments.
b. a story that Jesus told.
c. something we do or say to show we are sorry for our sins.
d. a social sin.

5. Absolution is
a. the time before Christmas.
b. the time before Easter.
c. a prayer for adults only.
d. the prayer of the priest sharing God's forgiveness of sins.

Answers: 1-b, 2-d,3-a,4-c,5-d.

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