THE SACRAMENT OF

RECONCILIATION

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The word "RECONCILIATION" refers to the

process of changing something thoroughly and
adjusting it to something else that is a standard.
Reconciliation also appears in the verb form
(katallasso), meaning "to reconcile.
Another Greek word is (hilaskomai), meaning "to
reconcile" in the sense of providing propitiation.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the
sacrament that frees a person from their mortal
and venial sins. It is called Reconciliation because
we are asked to, Be reconciled by God.
It is also the sacrament of healing and
forgiveness. Through the Sacrament, the penitent
receives forgiveness from God for the offenses
committed against God and the community and
the penitent is resurrected from a spiritual death.
Somebody who follows by Christs compassionate love is ready to live
in the way of Christ and complete their mission here on Earth.

OTHER NAMES OF THE SACRAMENT

Sacrament of Conversion
it is called so because it makes sacramentally present Jesus
call to conversion

Sacrament of Confession
it is called so because disclosure or confession of sins to a
priest is an essential element of this sacrament.

Sacrament of Forgiveness
by the priests sacramental absolution, God grants the penitent
pardon and peace.

Sacrament of Penance
penance is a virtue whereby a person acknowledges his or her
sin.

The Effects of this Sacrament

reconciliation with God and therefore the forgiveness
of sins;
reconciliation with the Church; recovery, if it has been
lost, of the state of grace;
remission of the eternal punishment merited by mortal
sins, and remission, at least in part, of the temporal
punishment which is the consequence of sin;
peace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation;
and an increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of
Christian living.

History of Sacrament of Reconciliation

Dates back to the New Testament and the

time of Jesus.

3 major periods in its development

Early Christian Penance
Tariff penance
Individual Confessions

History of Sacrament of Reconciliation

1. Early Christian Penance
from Apostolic times till 6-7 century
There are 3 major phases
From the beginning of the Church till the middle of the
2nd Century
3rd Century canonical penance
Canonical penance between 4th and 6th Century

1. Early Christian Penance

A. Christians in the early communities

Christians in the early communities of the Church

obtained forgiveness for those sins by practising prayer,
good deeds, fasting and alms-giving.
Confession was pronounced always in the beginning of
liturgies especially Eucharist.
After committing grave sins, he/she was denied access
to the Eucharistic table.
Prescribed by the head of the local church. (ex. Bishop)
public penance, wearing sackcloth and ashes.
Public confession.

1. Early Christian Penance

B. 3rd Canonical penance
Hippolytus of Rome criticized the popes for being too
easy to accept grave sinners back to the communion of
the church
C. Canonical penance between 4th and 6th Century
It was called canonical penance because special canons
were issued by regional, local church councils on
dealing with the public penance
Acts of ancient councils like:
Penitents have no access to Eucharistic communion- until
bishop reconciled him with the community of the church.
(canon 29 of the council of Epaone)

2. Tariff penance
From 7th Century till 12th-13th Century
New approach of the Christianity to the practice of
penance .
Council of Chalon-sur-Saone-- diocesan bishop
prescribed penance to a sinner as many times as he
or she would fall into sin.
Penitential practices consist of: Confession,
Acceptance of satisfaction fixed by the priest, and
reconciliation
Penitential books were provided.

3. Individual confession
From 12th century onwards
In 1215 the Fourth Century of the Lateran- every
catholic Christian goes to confession at least once a
year.
Council of Trent, in 1907,inlamentabili become so
standardized, priest were given list of sins with
corresponding penances prescribed by the book.
In the 20th Century during the Vatican 2- Pope John
Paul II began a fostering and renewing on this
sacrament.
In 1984he issued Reconciliatio et Paenitentia which
cited Mark 1:15 Repent and Believe in the gospel

Symbols of Reconciliation
Keys are the most reoccurring symbol when completing the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. The keys are made up of a single or
pair of keys that are usually crisscrossed in the shape of an X. The
symbol came from the words spoken by Jesus to Peter, which was,
I will give you the keys to the
kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:19),
by peaking these words He
established the Sacrament of
Reconciliation and gave the
Catholic Church the right to
forgive peoples sins.

Symbols of Reconciliation
A Stole is the key symbol of the ordained priesthood.
A stole is a narrow, long strip of cloth that is placed
over the shoulders and hangs in front of the body. A
stole shows the priests right to have control over
the sacraments and to forgive
sins. During the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, the priest will
wear a purple stole as it
symbolises sorrow and penance.

Symbols of Reconciliation
A Raised Hand is another symbol of
Reconciliation. The priest will extend his
right hands and place it over the candidates
head as it acts as a blessing that will remove
the persons wrongful
acts. He will do this
during the Rite of
Reconciliation.

Symbols of Reconciliation
The Cross is used when the priest makes a Sign
of the Cross over the penitent whilst
simultaneously reciting the final words of the
Prayer of Absolution,
And I absolve you
from you sins in the
name of the Father,
and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit.

Symbols of Reconciliation
The Scourging Whip is an important symbol in the
Reconciliation process. The scouring whip was
used on Jesus Christ at the column post before he
was died on the cross. He was crushed for our
sins, by his stripes we were
healed; through his suffering,
my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear;
he shall take away the sins
of many, and win pardon for
their offenses.

SIN
Any action that alienates or cuts us off from ourselves, others, and
God.
Two main types of sin:
1. Mortal (or Serious) sin
A very grave or serious violation of Gods law done willingly and knowingly.
Cuts us off completely from God.
Can only be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

2. Venial sin

Venial means forgivable.

A less serious offense
Weakens our relationship with God, but does not cut us off.
Can be forgiven through any Sacrament, as long as there is true contrition for
ones sins.
Reconciliation, Anointing, Eucharist, all have the power to forgive a venial
sin.

The Seven Deadly Sins

1. Lust: excessive sexual thoughts
Lust is being horny. It is a normal motivation. It is
when you see a really attractive person and want to
hold them and make mad, passionate love to them, to
touch their skin and feel the curves of their body next
to yours.
Sex is an emotionally powerful thing, and the
consequences of sex (especially pregnancy and love)
can lead to both great joy and great pain. Lust is not
sex (sex is fulfilled lust). Lust is blind to
consequences. Being horny is okay but acting on it
often can get you or someone else killed.

The Seven Deadly Sins

2. Gluttony: overindulgence to the point of waste
Gluttony is excessive consumption of
something. This usually relates to eating too much,
but broadly speaking its any time you use more
than is your right to.
This is not greed (desire for power over others).
This is the mistreatment of your own body and the
absorption of constantly doing something. Its
possible to be a glutton in the use of video games;
youre using the entertainment as brain candy.

The Seven Deadly Sins

3. Greed: excessive acquisition of wealth
Greed is wishing you had more power over the people
around you. This comes from having money or valuable
objects.
(Note: wanting the power of respect is a sin of pride, not
of greed.) Greed is wanting the power to force someone
to do what we want.
Money is the universal solvent, enough of it can make
anyone do anything.
Wisdom is knowing what your price is. Greed, the
obsession with power, can drive out all positive forces in
your life, even if you think your objective is a just one.

The Seven Deadly Sins

4. Sloth: excessive indifference, failure to act
Sloth is defined as spiritually or
emotionally apathy, neglecting what God
has spoken, and being physically and
emotionally inactive.
It came from a latin word Acedia
meaning CARELESSNESS. Sloth can
also indicate a wasting due to lack of use,
concerning a person, place, thing, skill, or
intangible ideal that would require
maintenance, refinement, or support to
continue to exist.

The Seven Deadly Sins

5. Wrath: uncontrolled anger or hatred
Wrath is wanting to hurt someone. It is not
anger, which is normal and is really frustration and
rebellion at being powerless.
Wrath is wanting to cause pain, and being
motivated by this to actually cause pain. A little
bit, especially when driving, is okay.
Carrying a weapon and firing at both the stupid
and insane people driving near you isn't okay.

The Seven Deadly Sins

6. Envy: excessive desire of what another has
Envy is wishing you had an emotion (my
definition). Example: I see someone waterskiing,
and I am envious of the gleeful feeling that person
has. YOU CANNOT ENVY AN OBJECT.
Envy is of the people who use the object. I am not
envious of a Corvette, I am envious of a person
who owns a Corvette because I would like the
emotions of glee, power, and speed that come with
driving it.

The Seven Deadly Sins

7. Pride: excessive love of self (considered the worst
of the Seven Deadly Sins because it leads to the
others!)
Pride is thinking youre better than you are.
Better at what doesnt matter. Its not just
misguided overconfidence.
Its thinking youre better than God and thus that
youre invincible. This isnt bad in small things
like your jump shot.
It is bad when you cannot accept your limitations
and live within them.

TIME OF CELEBRATION
The reconciliation of penitents may be celebrated in all
liturgical seasons and on any day. But it is right that the
faithful be informed of the day and hours at which the priest
is available for this ministry. They should be encouraged to
approach the sacrament of penance at times when Mass is not
being celebrated and preferably at the scheduled hours.
Lent is the season most appropriate for celebrating the
sacrament of penance. Already on Ash Wednesday the people
of God hear the solemn invitation, "Turn away from sin and
be faithful to the Gospel." It is therefore fitting to have
several penitential services during Lent, so that all the faithful
may have an opportunity to be reconciled with God and their
neighbor and so be able to celebrate the paschal mystery in
the Easter triduum with renewed hearts .

Rite for Reconciliation

1. Preparation of priest and penitent
Priest and penitents should prepare themselves
above all by prayer to celebrate the sacrament.
The priest should call upon the Holy Spirit so that
he may receive enlightenment and charity;
the penitents should compare their own life with
the example and commandments of Christ and then
pray to God for the forgiveness of their sins.

Rite for Reconciliation

2. Welcoming the penitent
The priest should welcome penitents with fraternal charity
and, if need be, address them with friendly words.
The penitent then 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 also make the sign of the
cross with the penitent.
Next the priest briefly urges the penitent to have
confidence in God. Penitents who are unknown to the
priest are advised to inform him of their state in life, the
time of their last confession, their difficulties in leading the
Christian life, and anything else that may help the
confessor in the exercise of his ministry.

Rite for Reconciliation

3. Reading of the word of god
The occasion may be taken for the priest, or
even the penitent, to read a text of holy
Scripture, or this may be done as part of the
preparation for the actual celebration of the
sacrament.
For through the word of God Christians
receive light to recognize their sins and are
called to conversion and to confidence in
God's mercy.

Rite for Reconciliation

4. Confession and acceptance of the penance
The penitent is invited to confess his/her sins. The priest
gives advice and encourages the penitent to true sorrow. At
the same time, he reminds the penitent of the need to join in
the Lords death and Resurrection.
He, then, assigns a penance as a way of the penitents
making up of sin and as a means to help him/ her amend
his/her life.
Next, the priest imposes an act of penance or explanation
on the penitent. This act of penance may suitably take the
form of prayer, self-denial, and especially service to
neighbour and works of mercy. These will underline the
fact that sin and its forgiveness have a social aspect.

Rite for Reconciliation

5. Act of contrition
The priest asks the penitent to make an
expression of sorrow with words. The
penitent expresses contrition and the
resolution to begin a new life. It is
advantageous for this prayer to be based
on the words of Scripture.

Rite for Reconciliation

6. Absolution
The priest gives absolution with the following prayer which emphasize the
action of the Trinity.
The priest extends his hands, or at least his right hand, over the head of
the penitent and pronounces the formulary of absolution, in which the
essential words are: I ABSOLVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS IN THE
NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT.
As he says the final phrase the priest makes the sign of the cross over the
penitent. The form of absolution indicates that the reconciliation of the
penitent comes from the mercy of the Father; it shows the connection
between the reconciliation of the sinner and the paschal mystery of Christ;
it stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in the forgiveness of sins;
finally, it underlines the ecclesial aspect of the sacrament, because
reconciliation with God is asked for and given through the ministry of the
Church.

Rite for Reconciliation

7. Proclaiming gods praise

After receiving pardon for sin, the
penitent praises the mercy of God and
gives him thanks in a short invocation
taken from Scripture.

Rite for Reconciliation

8. Dismissal
The priest concludes the rites by
dismissing the sinner, then the priest bids
the Penitent to go in peace.
The Lord has freed you from your
sin. Go in peace.