1. The Sacrament of Confession (Penance)

4. Why penance? Poenitentia (Latin): sorrow, regret, change of mind or heart. Poenitentia (Latin): sorrow, regret, change of mind or heart. Christ instituted this sacrament for the remission of sins committed after baptism. Christ instituted this sacrament for the remission of sins committed after baptism. God alone can forgive sins! This sacrament makes that forgiveness possible through the instrument of the priesthood. God alone can forgive sins! This sacrament makes that forgiveness possible through the instrument of the priesthood. Definition: the sacrament in which the priest in the name of Christ, forgives sins, if the sinner is heartily sorry for them, confesses them sincerely, and is willing to make satisfaction for them. Definition: the sacrament in which the priest in the name of Christ, forgives sins, if the sinner is heartily sorry for them, confesses them sincerely, and is willing to make satisfaction for them.

5. Matter & Form Remote Matter: the sins of the penitent. Remote Matter: the sins of the penitent. Proximate Matter: the acts of the penitent  contrition, confession, satisfaction Proximate Matter: the acts of the penitent  contrition, confession, satisfaction Form: Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Form: Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. (I absolve thee from thy sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost) (I absolve thee from thy sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost)

6. Scriptures Matthew 16:18-19  Christ promised the power of the keys to Peter and the Church. Matthew 16:18-19  Christ promised the power of the keys to Peter and the Church. John 20:21-23  “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit: whose sins you forgive they are forgiven…” John 20:21-23  “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit: whose sins you forgive they are forgiven…” Matthew 9:2  “The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” Matthew 9:2  “The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” The Apostles and their successors have the power to forgive because it was given to them directly by Christ. The Apostles and their successors have the power to forgive because it was given to them directly by Christ.

7. Administration of the Sacrament

8. Order and Jurisdiction Two essential requirements: (1) Holy Orders, and (2) Jurisdiction. Two essential requirements: (1) Holy Orders, and (2) Jurisdiction. Jurisdiction: legal power; Christ appointed the Apostles and their successors judges over sins. Jurisdiction: legal power; Christ appointed the Apostles and their successors judges over sins. A judge can only exercise authority over those subject to his jurisdiction. A judge can only exercise authority over those subject to his jurisdiction. Two types of jurisdiction: (1) ordinary jurisdiction, and (2) delegated jurisdiction. Two types of jurisdiction: (1) ordinary jurisdiction, and (2) delegated jurisdiction.

9. Ordinary Jurisdiction: connected with an office involving the ordinary care of souls Ordinary Jurisdiction: connected with an office involving the ordinary care of souls  The bishop of a diocese and the pastor of a parish Delegated Jurisdiction: not holding such an office, but empowered by the Pope or the bishop to hear confessions. Delegated Jurisdiction: not holding such an office, but empowered by the Pope or the bishop to hear confessions.  associate pastors The permission to hear confessions is conferred via “faculties”. The permission to hear confessions is conferred via “faculties”. A priest with faculties can hear anyone’s confessions anywhere in the world. A priest with faculties can hear anyone’s confessions anywhere in the world. In danger of death, a priest without faculties may hear a confession validly. In danger of death, a priest without faculties may hear a confession validly.

10. Special Sins Confession has the power to forgive any type of sin! Confession has the power to forgive any type of sin! Some sins are reserved to the pope or bishop: Some sins are reserved to the pope or bishop: 1. Desecration of the Blessed Sacrament; 2. Violence towards the pope, a bishop, or priest; 3. The absolution of a partner in a sin against the 6 th commandment; 4. A confessor who directly breaks the seal of confession.

11. Contrition and Purpose of Amendment

12. Contrition Contrition: pain/grief of mind and detestation of sin committed, with the firm resolution to sin no more. Contrition: pain/grief of mind and detestation of sin committed, with the firm resolution to sin no more. Without contrition, NO sin is ever forgiven Without contrition, NO sin is ever forgiven an “act of contrition” must be made immediately after sinning before confession, or at least before absolution is given. an “act of contrition” must be made immediately after sinning before confession, or at least before absolution is given.

13. 2 Types of Contrition Perfect: sorrow because you have offended God, who is infinitely Good and Loveable. Perfect: sorrow because you have offended God, who is infinitely Good and Loveable. Imperfect: (attrition) sorrow because you fear the punishment that is due to evil acts. Imperfect: (attrition) sorrow because you fear the punishment that is due to evil acts. Perfect Contrition ALWAYS destroys mortal sin. Attrition alone does not! Perfect Contrition ALWAYS destroys mortal sin. Attrition alone does not! However, attrition plus the sacrament of confession suffices for the forgiveness of mortal sin. However, attrition plus the sacrament of confession suffices for the forgiveness of mortal sin.

14. Firm Purpose of Amendment The penitent HATES the sins committed, REGRETS his acts, and is RESOLVED never to sin again. The penitent HATES the sins committed, REGRETS his acts, and is RESOLVED never to sin again. Must see sin as the greatest evils Must see sin as the greatest evils Wishes never to have committed evil acts Wishes never to have committed evil acts Must regret all sins committed Must regret all sins committed The saints would’ve rather died than to have committed a single mortal sin. The saints would’ve rather died than to have committed a single mortal sin.

15. The Effects of the Sacrament

16. 4 Main Effects 1. Remits sins committed after baptism 2. Remits the eternal punishment of mortal sin (i.e., Hell), and at least a part of the temporal punishment due to sin (i.e., Purgatory) 3. Restores sanctifying grace 4. Strength not to fall back into sins committed

17. Indulgences

18. Indulgences Indulegentia (Latin) = kindness, favor. Indulegentia (Latin) = kindness, favor. In Roman Law, it was the remission of a tax or debt. In Roman Law, it was the remission of a tax or debt. Definition: the remission, in whole or in part, of the temporal punishment due to sin that has been forgiven. Definition: the remission, in whole or in part, of the temporal punishment due to sin that has been forgiven. The power to remove this debt is derived from the (a) merits of Christ and of His saints—especially the martyrs—(b) through the exercise of the power of the Keys of the Kingdom given to St. Peter by Christ. The power to remove this debt is derived from the (a) merits of Christ and of His saints—especially the martyrs—(b) through the exercise of the power of the Keys of the Kingdom given to St. Peter by Christ.

19. Pope Bl. Urban II at the Council of Claremont (1095) “Those who have undertaken the journey to Jerusalem for the salvation of their souls and the liberty of the Church we have, through the mercy of God and the intercession of the universal Church, remitted the whole penance for their sins which they have rightly and fully confessed, because they have risked their property and their lives for the love of God and their neighbor.”

20. Indulgences Become Frequent After the Crusades, indulgences became more freely given: After the Crusades, indulgences became more freely given: pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostela (Spain); pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostela (Spain); the occasion of the consecration of a church and the canonization of saints; the occasion of the consecration of a church and the canonization of saints; for contributions towards the building of churches, hospitals, bridges; for contributions towards the building of churches, hospitals, bridges; Attached to objects of devotion, such as crucifixes, rosaries, etc. Attached to objects of devotion, such as crucifixes, rosaries, etc.

21. The Church pays our debts! She draws on the merits (good works, sacrifices) of Christ and the saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. She draws on the merits (good works, sacrifices) of Christ and the saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are a boundless source of spiritual riches; an infinite treasury. They are a boundless source of spiritual riches; an infinite treasury. The church administers these merits for the good of souls. The church administers these merits for the good of souls. This flows from the doctrine of the Communion of Saints. This flows from the doctrine of the Communion of Saints.

22. Souls in Purgatory Indulgences can be gained either for oneself or for the holy souls in Purgatory Indulgences can be gained either for oneself or for the holy souls in Purgatory We gain the indulgence on their behalf, but God alone knows how it is applied. We gain the indulgence on their behalf, but God alone knows how it is applied. It may remit the entire debt, or only partially. It may remit the entire debt, or only partially. They can be gained for specific souls, or for souls in general. They can be gained for specific souls, or for souls in general.

23. Types of Indulgences 1. Plenary Indulgence: the removal of the entire debt of justice. 2. Partial Indulgence: the removal of a part of the entire debt. Requirements: Must be in the state of grace; Must be in the state of grace; Must have gone to confession and have received Holy Communion; Must have gone to confession and have received Holy Communion; Pray for the intentions of the Pope Pray for the intentions of the Pope Must be detached from ALL venial sin!!! Must be detached from ALL venial sin!!! If in the state of venial sin, can gain only the partial indulgence. If in the state of venial sin, can gain only the partial indulgence.

24. The End