Sacrament of Reconciliation

Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against Him and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which, by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion." (CCC, 1422)

The sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance is known by several names:

>>  The "sacrament of Penance" expresses the way it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction" (CCC, 1423).

 >>  The "sacrament of confession" refers to the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest as 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 "sacrament of forgiveness" illustrates how the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace." 

>>  The "sacrament of Reconciliation" is another name because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God." He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: "Go first be reconciled to your brother" (CCC, 1424). 

>>  The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (CCC, 1421).

 Preparing for Reconciliation

o   Despite the feelings of many Catholics who consider the sacrament of Reconciliation either unnecessary or frightening, that fact remains that few things could be more necessary for our salvation than this humbling sacrament.

o   Many people have avoided celebrating the sacrament, sometimes for years at a time, because they "don't know what to do."

o   The person who is going to confession is called a "penitent" because he or she wishes to do penance and to turn away from sin.

Preparation

Before going to confession, 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.

Going to Confession

·         The priest welcomes the penitent and then both make the sign of the cross, saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

·          Next the priest briefly urges the penitent to have confidence in God.

·         If the penitent is unknown to the priest, it is proper for the penitent to indicate his or her state of life, the time of the last confession, difficulties in leading the Christian life, and anything else that may help the confessor in exercising his ministry.

Confession of Sins and the Act of Penance

§  The penitent then confesses his or her sins. If necessary, the priest should help the penitent to make a complete confession and to have sincere sorrow for sins against God.

 §  The sorrow a penitent feels for his or her sins is known as contrition and must include an intention to sin no more and to avoid all future occasions of sin.

 §  Through confession of sins, the penitent looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself to His grace and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible.

 §  The priest then offers suitable advice to help the penitent begin a new life and, when appropriate, leads him or her to resolve to make appropriate restitution for the harm he or she has caused others.

 §   The priest imposes an act of penance or satisfaction on the penitent. The penance corresponds to the seriousness and nature of the sins and may suitably take the form of prayer, self-denial, and especially service to one's neighbor and works of mercy.

 §   Such a "penance" serves not only to make up for the past but also to help the penitent to begin a new life filled with grace.

The Act of Contrition
After this, the priest will ask the penitent to make a good Act of Contrition. The following is one example of such a prayer:

O my God,

I am heartily sorry for having offended you,

and I detest all my sins,

because of your just punishment,

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 occasion of sin.

Amen.

Absolution by the Priest

Following this prayer, the priest extends his hands, or at least his right hand, over the head of thepenitent and pronounces the formula of absolution. As he says the final words he makes the sign of the cross over the head of the penitent:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins
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.

 The penitent answers, "Amen."

Dismissal of the Penitent
Then the priest tells the penitent to go in peace. The penitent continues his or her conversion and expresses it by a life renewed according to the Gospel and more and more steeped in the love of God.

Reconciliation Schedule:

Tuesday – Saturday= 6.00 p.m.

·         Appointments for private confessions are always welcome.

·         Individual confession is necessary before reception of any sacrament.

·         Oppurtunities are provided by the parish by conducting common penitential services before Christmas, Easter, Parochial Feast etc.

Confirmation

Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has places his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts. - Saint Ambrose, doctor of the Church

o   Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seals and confirms the baptized in union with Christ and calls them to greater participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church.

o   When an adult receives baptism, confirmation becomes integral part of the adult baptism. 

o   Confirmation  is a parish celebration which is celebrated during the parochial feast. 

o   Person who is going to receive the sacrament of confirmation must have completed 14yrs of age. Preparation is needed before receiving the sacrament. For further information contact the parish priests’ office.