Last night a priest friend of ours came over and had dinner. It was a lovely evening. I made a yummy gumbo and we got to do a lot of chatting and enjoying of the children's antics. The purpose of his visit was for our 7yr old Noah. In the Eastern Church a person receives all the sacraments of illumination at once (Baptism, Chrismation or Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist) This leaves the sacrament of reconciliation to be determined by the parents. Some children are ready early for this sacrament, as they seem to know right and wrong. Some little ones are ready later, just as we learn to walk differently our age of "reason" is not exactly the same. Noah is an old soul, I mean he is all little boy in his silliness, but he seems to be more aware of holiness, and concerned about the things of heaven, than my other kids.
So after dinner, Father and Noah went into a room and Noah got to go to confession for the first time. After he was done saying a solemn and fervent "Our Father" for penance (I peeked into his room he was so sweet kneeling there), we gave him presents and the other children were jumping up and down (Jacob and Lily with out knowing why!) and it was s celebration. And I just couldn't help think of the "rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Luke 11) I just knew this is how it should be! I am grateful for last night and the memory it made for our family.
I think that some of my children were ready earlier than others for the Sacraments, in fact Brian likes the idea of all three sacraments at once. It is a little tougher to make it happen early at our parish though. How special your priest came to your house to offer that!
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