1. Penance/ Reconciliation
Sacraments of Healing
Penance/ Reconciliation

2. Sacrament of Pardon & Peace
Sins committed after Baptism can be forgiven
Reconciliation with God and the community is possible
Everything we do, good or bad, affects our relationship with God, others and self
It is a Sacrament of
Conversion
Confession
Forgiveness
Penance
Reconciliation

3. Sin
An deliberate offense in thought, word, action or omission that goes against the will of God
Mortal
A serious sin, so contrary to the will of God that it results in complete separation from God and his grace.
Serious matter
Full knowledge
Full consent
Venial
A less serious sin that diminishes one’s personal character and weakens, but does not rupture, one’s relationship with God
Concupiscence
The weakness toward sin that is a consequence of original sin

4. Forgiveness Jesus has the authority to forgive sin, He is God
Through Apostolic Succession that authority is passed down to the bishops and through them to the priests
“I will give you the keys to the kingdom, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven, whatever you loose on earth will be loosened in heaven” (Matt 16: 19-20)
“Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, whose sins you retain are retained” (Jn 20: 22-23)

5. Historical Background
Jesus urged repentance and conversion and invited all people to share in his relationship with the father. As a result the basis of this sacrament is found in the words and actions of Jesus
In the early Church
Reconciliation was granted only after public penance which lasted for years
Only for grave or mortal sin
Only once in a lifetime
In the 7th century there was a movement toward a more private form of penance that was available as needed. In the Eastern Churches this was their practice and when some Irish monks heard of this thy began to spread this practice in the western Church as well. Now both venial and mortal sins could be forgiven in on celebration

6. Rite of Penance & Reconciliation
Our part:
Contrition or repentance
Examination of conscience
Confession
Telling the sins to the priest
Intention to repair the wrong (reparation)
An Act of Penance
The Priest’s part
Absolution
Essential Elements
Sign of the Cross
Words of absolution
The Seal of Confession;
The priest is bound in a very serious way to keep all confessions secret.

7. Communal Celebration Celebrates Liturgy of the Word
Examination of Conscience
Individual confession
Hymn or psalm of thanksgiving
Concluding prayer
In an emergency situation the communal celebration of Reconciliation with general confession and general absolution is possible

8. Effects Forgives all sin Reconciles us with God
Reconciles us with the Church
Reduction of the punishment for sin
Peace & serenity of conscience; spiritual consolation
Increased strength for the spiritual battle
Life of ongoing conversion