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Come back to the Lord
PREPARING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
The celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an important part of
our Lenten observance. There is no better way to prepare for the celebration of
the Resurrection of the Lord at Easter than by this sacrament, "which brings
about a true spiritual resurrection, restoration of the dignity and blessings of
the life of the children of God" (Catechism 1468).
Did you know?
- In the early Church, the Sacrament of Penance could be received only
once in a lifetime. The penances assigned were often very long and
severe, sometimes lasting several years. During this time penitents usually
had special places in church, wore special clothes, and commonly left the
Sunday liturgy after the homily, just like the catechumens.
- At one time the Church had a two-track system of public Penance and
private Penance. Public sins required public penance and private sins
required private penance.
- For centuries penitents were required to do their assigned penance
and then return to receive absolution. Practical difficulties with this
became apparent when the confessor was a wandering missionary and when the
penances sometimes took the penitent on a pilgrimage to foreign lands.
History of the Sacrament
A glance at the history of this sacrament makes it clear that Penance has
had a lively and varied past. The primary sacrament of forgiveness in the early
Church was baptism. To the first Christians it seemed unthinkable that anyone
who had been converted to Christ would return to sin after they had been
baptized. Nevertheless, the Church soon found that it had to deal with
post-baptismal sin. Through the centuries the Church has continued to develop in
its understanding of this sacrament so it can be more responsive to the needs of
the people and more meaningful in their lives.
Reconciliation, like all sacraments, has a fundamental community dimension.
This was most obvious in the early Church with the Order of Penitents. But even
with the later development of private penance, the Church has always insisted on
the importance of the priest in the experience of reconciliation. This is not
because God will not forgive us directly (God always forgives those who repent),
but because the priest is the representative of the Church community.
Reconciliation with the Church community is the sacramental sign of
reconciliation with the Lord. The priest is the representative of the community,
as well as the representative of Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sacrament called confession, penance or reconciliation? Yes!
This sacrament involves all three elements and historically has been called by
all three names. Today the Church refers to it as the Sacrament of Penance or
the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Why do we need a sacrament of Reconciliation? "Sin is before all else
an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it
damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's
forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church" (Catechism of the Catholic
Church [CCC] 1440). Only God forgives sins. Christ has willed that in her prayer
and life and action his whole Church should be a sign and instrument of the
forgiveness and reconciliation (CCC 1442). The priest "is not the master of
God's forgiveness, but its servant" (CCC 1466).
What happens in the Sacrament of Penance? "Through the sacrament of
penance, we, the faithful, acknowledge the sins we have committed, express our
sorrow for them, and, intending to reform our ways, receive God�s forgiveness
and become reconciled with God and with the Church" (USCCB Committee on Pastoral
Practices). "Jesus' call to conversion and penance does not aim first at
outward works, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion" (CCC
1430). Conversion is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our
hearts return to him.
What sins should be confessed? The Church teaches that "all serious
(mortal) sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious
must be recounted by them in confession, even if they are most secret, for these
sins sometimes wound the soul more grievously and are more dangerous than those
which are committed openly" (CCC 1456). At the same time, confession of everyday
faults (venial sins) "is strongly recommended" for it helps us to form our
conscience, fight against evil tendencies (patterns of weakness that can lead us
to sin), let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the
Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the
Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful" (CCC 1458).
What are the effects of this sacrament? "The forgiven penitent is
reconciled with himself in his inmost being" He is reconciled with his brethren
whom he has in some way offended and wounded. He is reconciled with the Church.
He is reconciled with all creation" (John Paul II). "The whole power of the
sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God"s grace and joining us with
him in an intimate friendship" (CCC 1468), "for those who receive the sacrament
with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation is usually
followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation"
(CCC 1551).
Baptism: the First Sacrament of
Forgiveness
The Church Fathers saw a close connection between baptism and penance; in
fact, penance was sometimes referred to as "the more difficult baptism." St.
Ambrose said: "There are water and tears; the water of baptism, and the tears of
repentance." Penance is a sacrament celebrating conversion, a basic dynamic of
the Christian life. Adults and older children preparing for the sacrament of
baptism enter an intense period of purification during the Lent season prior to
baptism. The Elect reflect upon the stories of the Samaritan woman, the man born
blind, and the raising of Lazarus. Then on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays
of Lent the Elect celebrate the Scrutinies in the midst of the community. During
these celebrations the Church prays the ancient prayers of exorcisms over the
Elect, calling upon God to protect them from Satan and the power of evil and
surrounding them with the love of God.
Text prepared by Helen Oesterle, Director of Religious
Education
*************
Pardon and Peace: How to Go to
Confession
Many people have avoided celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, sometimes for
years at a time, because they "don't know what to do." But confession doesn�t
need to be scary or intimidating! The following brief explanation will
help you understand how the Sacrament is celebrated individually.
1 Preparation
The celebration of this sacrament begins at home, with the private preparation
you make. This preparation is called the examination of conscience. "The
penitent compares his or her life with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and
the example of Christ and then prays to God for forgiveness." The examination of
conscience should take into account your relationship to God and to others.
Usually, we know our sins all too well; the examination of conscience will help
us to look at them in the light of the Gospel, and be better able to express
them in confession.
The Lord God says: "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole
heart." Is my heart set on God, so that I really love God above all things?
Or am I more concerned about the things of this world? Are there false gods that
I worship by giving them greater attention and deeper trust than I give to God?
Do I keep Sundays and feast days holy by participating in the Mass with
attention and devotion? Have I been willing to be known as a Christian in
private and public life? Do I offer God my difficulties, joys, and sorrows? Do I
turn to God in times of temptation?
The Lord says: "Love one another as I have loved you." Do I
genuinely love my neighbor? Or do I use other people for my own ends? Have I
contributed to the well-being and happiness of my family by patience and
genuine love? Have I been an obedient child?a good parent? a faithful
spouse? Do I truly do all I can to help those less fortunate? Do I look down
on other people because of race, class, or creed? Am I concerned for the
good of the human community in which I live, or do I spend my life caring
only for myself? Have I been ready for forgive those who have wronged me, or
do I harbor hatred and the desire for revenge?
Christ our Lord says: "Be perfect as your Father is perfect."
Where is my life really leading me? What use have I made of time, of
health and strength, of the gifts God has given me to be used like the
talents in the Gospel? Do I use them to become more perfect every day? Have
I been patient in accepting the sorrows and disappointments of this life?
Have I reverenced my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit? Have I gone
against my conscience out of fear or hypocrisy? Do I experience the freedom
of the children of God, or am I the slave of forces within me?
2 Welcome of the Priest
You have the option of confessing your sins face to face, or of confessing
anonymously. This is your choice. The priest welcomes you and then both you and
he make the sign of the cross, saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Then in his own words the priest urges you to have
confidence in God. If you don't know the priest, you may want to indicate your
state of life (i.e. married, single, widowed, divorced), how long it has been
since your last confession, and anything else that may help your confessor.
3 Confession of Sins
Next the priest invites you to confess your sins. Occasionally, the priest may
ask questions to help you in making a full confession. The confession of sins
should be as complete as possible. That doesn't mean it needs to take a long
time. The important thing is that the penitent "looks squarely at the sins he is
guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God
and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible"
(Catechism 1455).
4 Advice of the Priest
Sacramental confession is not therapy; the priest will not attempt to solve your
problems for you. What he will do, however, is offer some advice to help you in
starting a new life. He will also give you a simple 'penance,' which may take
the form of prayer, self-denial, service to one's neighbor, or works of mercy.
5 Prayer of the Penitent
Next the priest invites you to pray an act of contrition. There are many
different options for this prayer. You can learn one of the following by heart,
or feel free to bring this sheet with you.
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do
wrong, and failing to do good, I have sinned against you, whom I should love
above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no
more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us. In his name,
my God, have mercy.
or:
Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, forgave the sinful
woman, and after Peter's denial confirmed him in your love. Listen to my
prayer: renew your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with
my fellow Christians that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world.
or:
Father, I have sinned against you and am not worthy to be called your
Son.
Have mercy on me, a sinner.
6 Prayer of Absolution
Now the priest extends his hands over your head and prays the prayer of
absolution, making the sign of the cross over you during the final words:
"through the ministry of the church may God give you pardon and peace, and I
absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit." You respond, Amen.
7 Dismissal
Now the priest dismisses you. You respond, Thanks be to God. If you are making
your confession as part of a communal celebration, remain in the church for the
conclusion of the celebration. If not, "go in peace to love and serve the Lord"!
Based on Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance: Questions and
Answers,
a publication of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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