The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
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The Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-32
As conveyed in the other Sacraments, Catholic Christianity involves spiritual growth. For the soul, this growth needs to be bolstered and supported by a constant renewal. The soul's renewal is dependent upon God's grace for spiritual health, growth in virtue, and healing of the soul. The soul after baptism as it moves towards God is strengthened by God. While on the Christian Journey, we still carry on with a wounded nature and must seek God's grace to become more Christ-like. Faults and sin will occur, but Christ's salvation is still available through the graces that abound in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist.
Catholics believe the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also referred to as the Sacrament of Confession/ Penance) provides the cleansing and grace to heal the soul supernaturally and expunge sins committed since baptism. What was begun in the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation, is healed in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and strengthened by the Holy Eucharist. This is an important part of the renewal of the soul.
Overview of the Sacrament of Penance/ Reconciliation:
Overview of the Sacrament of Penance/ Reconciliation:
1. The priest greets you, and you make the Sign of the Cross. He invites you to trust in God. He may read God's Word with you.
2. You confess your sins. The priest may help and counsel you.
3. The priest gives you a penance to perform. Penance is an act of kindness or prayers to pray, or both.
4. The priest asks you to express your sorrow, usually by reciting the Act of Contrition.
5. You receive absolution. The priest says, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” You respond, “Amen.”
6. The priest dismisses you by saying, “Go in peace.” You go forth to perform the act of penance he has given you.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (How to make your confession)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (How to make your confession)
Reconciliation may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between you and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.
The priest gives you a blessing or greeting. He may share a brief Scripture passage.
1.) You make the Sign of the Cross saying: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
2.) * “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give the number of weeks, months or years since your last confession ).
* For the very first confession the penitent says:
“Bless me father, for I have sinned. This is my First Confession.”
3.) “These are my sins:” Confess all of your sins to the priest.
The priest will help you to make a good confession. If you are unsure about how to confess or you feel uneasy, just ask him to help you. Answer his questions without hiding anything out of fear or shame. Place your trust in God, a merciful Father who wants to forgive you.
4.) After confessing your sins, say:
“For these and all of my sins I am truly sorry”
5.) The priest assigns you a penance and offers advice to help you be a better Catholic.
6.) Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins.
Words of the Act of Contrition:
Words of the Act of Contrition:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
7.) The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.
a. The priest says, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” You respond, “Amen.”
b. The priest dismisses you by saying, “Go in peace.” You go forth to perform the act of penance he has given you.
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