Children Speak: Catholic Second Graders\u27 Agency and Experiences in the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Joining a growing number of childhood studies scholars who stress the need to engage in child-centered research and learn about children\u27s religious experiences from children themselves, I have conducted a qualitative research study that explores how second graders interpret their experiences of a particular religious ritual—the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This article analyzes 73 interviews of Catholic second graders about their experiences of this sacrament, its various meanings, and its moral and spiritual effects. A key contribution of this research is the identification of a strong association between children\u27s perceived sense of agency (or lack thereof) and (1) their affective and attitudinal response, (2) whether the sacrament is personally meaningful, and (3) its impact on their relationship with God and others