The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, we receive the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life “in earthen vessels,” and it remains “hidden with Christ in God.”  We are still in our “earthly tent,” subject to suffering, illness, and death.  This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1420)

“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church, which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1422)
 

Four Parts to the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

1. Confession: Confronting our sins in a profound way to God by confessing them honestly to a Priest.

2. Contrition: A true sorrow for having offended God, and the most important act of the penitent.  There can be no forgiveness if we do not have sorrow for all our sins and a firm resolve to turn away from sin in the future.

3. Absolution: The Priest speaks the words by which “God, the Father of mercies” reconciles a sinner to Himself through the merits of the cross.

4. Penance: An important part of our healing is the “penance” the Priest gives us in reparation for our sins. Penance most often takes the forms of prayers to say or good works to do.

Learn more about the Sacrament of Reconciliation at CatholicsComeHome.org