The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.
It has three elements as found in The Catechism of the Catholic Church. CCC 1423
Conversion: It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin. Conversion to Christ, the new birth of Baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Body and Blood of Christ received as food have made us "holy and without blemish," just as the Church herself, the Bride of Christ, is "holy and without blemish."Nevertheless the new life received in Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence, which remains in the baptized such that with the help of the grace of Christ they may prove themselves in the struggle of Christian life. This is the struggle of conversion directed toward holiness and eternal life to which the Lord never ceases to call us.
Confession: It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession" - acknowledgment and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man. The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission man 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.
Celebration: Like all the sacraments, Penance is a liturgical action. The elements of the celebration are ordinarily these: a greeting and blessing from the priest, reading the word of God to illuminate the conscience and elicit contrition, and an exhortation to repentance; the confession, which acknowledges sins and makes them known to the priest; the imposition and acceptance of a penance; the priest's absolution; a prayer of thanksgiving and praise and dismissal with the blessing of the priest.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23)
If you have not been to Confession in a while, we want to welcome you back, and invite you to participate in this beautiful sacrament of healing. You willl be surprised about how free you feel after taking part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So many Catholics describe incredible feelings of peace, joy, relief, and love that they never expected. God is calling you to experience His mercy and love. Take a step in faith.
To learn more about reconciliation, accourding to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, click here.
A guide for going to confession:
Before going to confession, you should prayerfully compare your life with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and the example of Christ. Using an Examination of Conscience, such as the one provided on the reverse side can be helpful.
After the priest welcomes you, both of you make the Sign of the Cross. Then you may want to talk about yourself, your situation and difficulties you face living a Christian life and tell him the last time you went to confession.
You or the priest may read one of the suggested scriptural passages.
Confess your sins. The priest then offers suitable advice and gives you an act of penance, which may include prayer, self-denial or works of mercy.
Pray a prayer expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving not to sin again. A suggested prayer is:
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.
(Rite of Penance, no. 45)
The priest extends his hands over your head and pronounces a formula of absolution, making the sign of the cross over your head during the final words. You answer, “Amen”.
The priest dismisses you with the command to go in peace. Continue to express your conversion through a life renewed according to the Gospel and the love of God.