Sacrament of Reconciliation
Without confession, love is destroyed
"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 prayer labors for their conversion." (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
"It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to converson, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin. It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it conscreates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction. 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" - acknowledging and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man. It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the pentinent "pardon and peace". It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the lie 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." (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
In the Catholic Church we have several forms for confession:
Individual Confession:
The pentinent prepares to receive the Sacrament of Penance with a careful examination of conscience; recalling the Ten Commandments of God; which are:
1. You shall honor no other god but me
2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath
4. Honor your father and mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods
Jesus' Commandments:
1. You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul and your whole mind
2. You shall love your neighbor as yourself
Precepts of the Church:
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year
3. You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season
4. You shall keep holy the Holy Days of Obligation
5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence
After recalling our sins silent reflection should follow accompanied by prayer, especially to the Holy Spirit as a means to help us experience genuine sorrow for them. Once we feel ready the confessional or other place set aside for the celebration of the Sacrament is entered.
After being welcomed by the priest, the pentinent makes the sign of the cross saying: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The priest may read a short Scripture passage, then the pentinent states the time since the last confession and confesses the sins recalled during the examination of conscience; including all mortal sins. After the sins are confessed, the priest counsels the pentinent and asks the pentinent to do a penance, usually some prayers or charitable work. The pentinent accepts the penance and expresses sorrow for sin in his or her own words, or by saying one of the Act of Contrition's highlighted below:
Adult Traditional Version:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Children's Version:
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. Amen.
Alternative Children's Version:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins, help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.
The priest then gives absolution and the pentinent responds, "Amen."
Communal Reconciliation:
Communal Penance Services are usually held here at St. Bede before Christmas and Easter. The people gather in Church to prepare for the sacrament by listening to the Word of God, reciting or singing pentinential psalms and hymns and participating in community prayer. The priests will help those present to examine their conscience, the pentinents will then approach one of the priests. Each pentinent individually confesses his or her sins; this would include all mortal sins and any other he or she wishes to confess. The priest offers a penance and prays the prayer of absolution. Some parishes may, after everyone has gone to confession, come back together as a community for prayer in thanksgiving for the reconciliation.
For more information please contact a priest or deacon at the rectory. (847) 587-2251
Without confession, love is destroyed
"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 prayer labors for their conversion." (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
"It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to converson, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin. It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it conscreates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction. 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" - acknowledging and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man. It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the pentinent "pardon and peace". It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the lie 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." (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
In the Catholic Church we have several forms for confession:
Individual Confession:
The pentinent prepares to receive the Sacrament of Penance with a careful examination of conscience; recalling the Ten Commandments of God; which are:
1. You shall honor no other god but me
2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath
4. Honor your father and mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods
Jesus' Commandments:
1. You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul and your whole mind
2. You shall love your neighbor as yourself
Precepts of the Church:
1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year
3. You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season
4. You shall keep holy the Holy Days of Obligation
5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence
After recalling our sins silent reflection should follow accompanied by prayer, especially to the Holy Spirit as a means to help us experience genuine sorrow for them. Once we feel ready the confessional or other place set aside for the celebration of the Sacrament is entered.
After being welcomed by the priest, the pentinent makes the sign of the cross saying: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The priest may read a short Scripture passage, then the pentinent states the time since the last confession and confesses the sins recalled during the examination of conscience; including all mortal sins. After the sins are confessed, the priest counsels the pentinent and asks the pentinent to do a penance, usually some prayers or charitable work. The pentinent accepts the penance and expresses sorrow for sin in his or her own words, or by saying one of the Act of Contrition's highlighted below:
Adult Traditional Version:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Children's Version:
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. Amen.
Alternative Children's Version:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins, help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.
The priest then gives absolution and the pentinent responds, "Amen."
Communal Reconciliation:
Communal Penance Services are usually held here at St. Bede before Christmas and Easter. The people gather in Church to prepare for the sacrament by listening to the Word of God, reciting or singing pentinential psalms and hymns and participating in community prayer. The priests will help those present to examine their conscience, the pentinents will then approach one of the priests. Each pentinent individually confesses his or her sins; this would include all mortal sins and any other he or she wishes to confess. The priest offers a penance and prays the prayer of absolution. Some parishes may, after everyone has gone to confession, come back together as a community for prayer in thanksgiving for the reconciliation.
For more information please contact a priest or deacon at the rectory. (847) 587-2251