Everyday for the past two weeks, we have been going around the different barangay elementary schools to celebrate the first confession and communion of children in these schools. They have been taught the basic catechism by our dedicated volunteer catechists for the past ten months. This would be the culminating activity of these ten-month catechism classes. By the first week of March, we would have covered the more than 25 schools in the parish.
Our schedule usually begins at 8:00 AM. The first communicants are gathered in one room where they would pray, led by a catechist. Then one by one, they go to confession.
"In the name of the Father.... (Some out of nervousness would use their left hand, or start at the forehead, then go the right shoulder...) "Bless me Father.... (or Pari).
When I was a young seminarian, I was assigned in a certain town in the eastern part of Pangasinan in San Quintin to do my summer apostolate together with three others. One of our tasks was to prepare children for first communion, which implied that we would prepare them for first confession.
The big day came. There were these children all dressed up. The boys in white shirts and black pants (or short pants). The girls in their white dresses. One by one, they went to the priest to confess their sins. I was to guide them in praying the Act of Contrition and the penance given to them by the priest: usually one "Our Father".
This boy came. I asked him if he knew how to pray the "Our Father".
"Not very well, " he said.
"OK, then, "I told him, "Just repeat after me."
He nodded, relieved and pleased.
"Our Father", I said.
"Our Father" , came the reply. (I realized I had to say the prayer two words at at time for him to follow me).
"Holy be ..", I continued.
"Holy be..", was the reply, again.
"Your name..." , I said.
No reply.
"Your name...", I repeated in a louder voice.
The boy looked at me. Puzzled. "Your name...", I said quite irritated while I looked back at him.
In a soft but audible voice, he said, "JIMMY!".
Amen to that.
Har! Har!
