Who can go to Reconciliation and how often?
Anyone may seek Christ's forgiveness who is guilty of a mortal (serious) sin, or is in need of spiritual healing. This sacrament must be received at least once per year, but can be received as often as necessary. There is no limit to Christ's love and grace!
What is the Form of this Sacrament?
During confession, the priest/bishop says: "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."
Anyone may seek Christ's forgiveness who is guilty of a mortal (serious) sin, or is in need of spiritual healing. This sacrament must be received at least once per year, but can be received as often as necessary. There is no limit to Christ's love and grace!
What is the Form of this Sacrament?
During confession, the priest/bishop says: "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."
What is the Matter of this Sacrament?
For this sacrament, the matter is the individual's sins, the confession of sins, contrition, and the priest's words of absolution.
What is the Rite of this Sacrament
The sacrament begins as you greet the priest and make the sign of the cross. You are then invited to confess our sins and the priest is open to guide you in the right path towards not sinning again. The priest then asks you to express our sorrow by reciting the Act of Contrition and he assigns you an act of penance. The candidate is then absolved and returns to their seat where they should perform the act of penance given to them.
For this sacrament, the matter is the individual's sins, the confession of sins, contrition, and the priest's words of absolution.
What is the Rite of this Sacrament
The sacrament begins as you greet the priest and make the sign of the cross. You are then invited to confess our sins and the priest is open to guide you in the right path towards not sinning again. The priest then asks you to express our sorrow by reciting the Act of Contrition and he assigns you an act of penance. The candidate is then absolved and returns to their seat where they should perform the act of penance given to them.
How can I prepare for Reconciliation?
To prepare for confession, you must examine your conscience. An examination of conscience is a spiritual exercise in which a person thinks about the actions they've made and determines for themselves whether or not they've committed sins in that way. Meaning a person remembers and identifies their sins in order to recall them in confession. There are various types of examinations of conscience like based on the Ten Commandments, based on the Beatitudes, for children, for young adults, for single people, and for married people.
My first Reconciliation
My first experience of Reconciliation was when I was very young. I remember being very nervous of what to say or what the priest would think about me. I also thought I would mess up and God wouldn't forgive me of my sins. But the priest was able to see my how nervous I was and was able to calm me down. But afterwards I did feel a lot better and was happy that God could forgive me and that I was cleansed of my sins.
At my parish, St. Kilian's, Reconciliation is offered on Mondays 1:00 - 1:30 p.m., Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m., and in the rectory by appointment.
To prepare for confession, you must examine your conscience. An examination of conscience is a spiritual exercise in which a person thinks about the actions they've made and determines for themselves whether or not they've committed sins in that way. Meaning a person remembers and identifies their sins in order to recall them in confession. There are various types of examinations of conscience like based on the Ten Commandments, based on the Beatitudes, for children, for young adults, for single people, and for married people.
My first Reconciliation
My first experience of Reconciliation was when I was very young. I remember being very nervous of what to say or what the priest would think about me. I also thought I would mess up and God wouldn't forgive me of my sins. But the priest was able to see my how nervous I was and was able to calm me down. But afterwards I did feel a lot better and was happy that God could forgive me and that I was cleansed of my sins.
At my parish, St. Kilian's, Reconciliation is offered on Mondays 1:00 - 1:30 p.m., Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m., and in the rectory by appointment.