1. Confession Objectives: Explain why we confess to a priest
Identify matter, form, and minister of this sacrament
Define conscience
Differentiate between Perfect and Imperfect Contrition
Distinguish between mortal and venial sin
Define and explain what an Indulgence is

2. Leviticus 16:20
If a young Jewish boy were to ask you why we can’t just go to our tent and tell God we are sorry for our sins. How would you respond
God demands it
It is good for us

3. John 20
If a young Catholic boy were to ask you why we can’t just go to our room and tell God we are sorry for our sins. How would you respond
God demands it
It is good for us

4. Conscience Placed in my soul by God Knowledge of right vs wrong
Judgment: Do good avoid evil
The goodness/badness of a particular act at hand
I am bound to follow it
I must form it properly
Parents
School
Teaching of the Catholic Church

5. Matter, Form, Minister Matter Form Minister Contrition Confession
Desire to do the penance assigned
Form
“I absolve you of your sins”
Minister
Bishop
Shares this power w/ priests

6. I. Contrition Sorrow for sins Perfect Imperfect
Seeking conversion interior not outward show
This movement comes from God
Perfect
Motivated out of love for God
Forgives sin even outside of Confession
Imperfect
Motivated by fear of God = attrition
Examination of Conscience
Thought and reflection
How have I offended God
God is only offended by those acts which are bad for us as humans

7. II. Confession
All serious sins I am conscious of since my last confession
Venial sins are good to confess
Past mortal sins good to confess
Honestly
Type, number and any special circumstances

8. Mortal Sin Serious matter Full consent of the will
Missing mass
Sex outside of marriage
Drunkness/ drug abuse
Stealing a large sum
Full consent of the will
Fear
Ignorance
Force
Reflection of the gravity of the action
If any of these conditions are lacking the sin is venial or no sin at all
Who do you want to spend eternity with?
One mortal sin = Hell

9. III. Penance Do the assigned penance
Not necessarily a reflection of the seriousness of the sin
Designed to help you to overcome the tendency to sin
General Absolution?
Only in very special circumstances

10. Why Confess to a priest? Jesus tells us to. John 20:21
Reflection makes me think
How did I get to this sin
Who/what should I avoid
Confession causes me to:
Be humble
Express my sorrow openly’
Involve my whole self in the process
I am composed of soul and body
I know reality through my senses
Forgiveness of sins comes via my senses

11. Effects Restores sanctifying grace by forgiving sins
Remits eternal punishment
Actual grace to avoid sin in the future
Reconciles with the Church
Remits part of purgatorial debt
Peace
Repair bad habits

12. Indulgence Remission before God Of Temporal punishment
Eternal punishment is Hell
Due for sins already forgiven
Either by perfect contrition or confession
Plenary or partial
Taking away all or some of the punishment