From Who Shall Ascend?
A clear danger signal was given within the Church in the 1950's,
when, from no detectable source, word came that the Act of Contrition,
which children learned in the first grade as part of their First
Confession and First Communion catechesis, was to be said differently.
Hitherto they had been taught to say:
...because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of
Hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God . . . I
firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins,
to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen."
Henceforth they were to say:
"I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but
most of all because they offend Thee, my God . I firmly
resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins and to
avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen."
Children of six and seven, it was explained, do not commit-are
incapable of committing-mortal sins. Hence, it is improper to terrorize
them with threats of Hellfire at such as early age. In fact, there
would really be no need for them to make their First Confession
before their First Communion.
A few thoughtful individuals recalled that our Blessed Mother
had seen fit to grant a vision of Hell to the three children at Fatima,
the youngest of whom was only seven years old. The experience
affected the children so profoundly that, overnight, as it were, from
typical, frivolous children they became very spiritual-minded, even
saintly.
Those who introduced this change knew very well that it was not
only toward young children that it was being directed, since they were
likely to keep this form of the Act of Contrition into their adult lives.
We priests in the confessional cannot help noticing which form
penitents recite.
Topic: Act of Contrition (Read 1974 times)