My Confession Book

My Confession Book: A Child's Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance

By Sister M. Andrine Welters, O.S.B. · Published by TAN Books

Overview

For a young child, the thought of stepping into the confessional for the first time can be incredibly intimidating. The dark curtain, the gravity of naming mistakes out loud, and the fear of forgetting the sequence of prayers can easily cloud a child's understanding of God's infinite mercy. Too often, children view the Sacrament of Penance with anxiety rather than looking forward to it as a joyful fountain of healing grace. The key to replacing fear with confidence is providing them with a clear, gentle, and deeply pious roadmap that shows them exactly what to expect.

First published in 1958, My Confession Book by Sister M. Andrine Welters, OSB, remains the undisputed classic and bestselling guide for Catholic children preparing for First Confession and subsequent penances. Written with the profound maternal warmth of a Benedictine nun, this pocket-sized booklet strips away all confusion surrounding the Sacrament of Reconciliation. By utilizing beautifully vintage illustrations and simple, clear language, Sr. Andrine walks children step-by-step through the entire process—from their interior preparation at home to the physical moments spent inside the confessional box. It teaches little hearts how to look honestly at their actions, cultivate genuine contrition, express their sins with clarity, and step out of the confessional completely unburdened and full of peace.

• The Five Conditions Made Simple: Breaks down the essential elements required to receive the sacrament worthily, ensuring children understand how to form true sorrow and a firm purpose of amendment.
• Child-Friendly Examination of Conscience: Features a beautifully tailored, age-appropriate examination of conscience anchored firmly in the Ten Commandments and traditional Catholic moral instruction.
• Step-by-Step Confessional Script: Provides a clear script detailing exactly what to say and do when entering the confessional, including the traditional opening phrasing and the placement of the Act of Contrition.
• Post-Confession Guidance: Instructs young penitents on how to properly perform their penance, offer prayers of thanksgiving, and spiritually prepare their clean souls for the reception of Holy Communion.

Intended Audience

This classic book is an absolute necessity for children ages 6 to 10 who are currently preparing for their First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation. It is a vital resource for Catholic parents, grandparents, catechists, and traditional homeschool families, and functions as an exceptional, low-cost bulk item for parish religious education classes and school apostolates.

FAQs

Can this book be used by children who already made their First Confession?
Yes, seamlessly. While it is the ultimate training tool for First Penance, the examination of conscience and structured script make it a fantastic reference guide that boys and girls will want to take into the church pews with them month after month to establish a lifetime habit of monthly confession.

Is this booklet designed for the Traditional Latin Mass or modern parishes?
Because the fundamental matter and form of the Sacrament of Penance are universal, this booklet works beautifully for any Catholic child. The script utilizes traditional, timeless language (e.g., "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned...") that is standard across both forms of the Roman Rite.

How long is the book? Is it easy for an early reader to navigate?
The booklet spans 48 pages and features a large, clean font layout paired with frequent illustrations. It is specifically engineered so that early readers can easily read the prayers themselves, while younger or anxious children can look at the images as a parent reads the points to them.