Chapter 10: Chapter 10: ReconciliationReconciliation

Reconciled with God, ourselves and Reconciled with God, ourselves and the whole community (church)the whole community (church)

What it Celebrates: Acknowledging our SinsWhat it Celebrates: Acknowledging our SinsTypes of SinTypes of Sin

Personal:Personal: Commission – Commission – Omission – Omission –

Social SinSocial Sin Mortal (“deadly”): Mortal (“deadly”): Venial:Venial:

What it Celebrates: Sharing our Stories:What it Celebrates: Sharing our Stories:

ConfessionConfession Good listener; Sharing is a healing processGood listener; Sharing is a healing process A good confessionA good confession Priest represents JesusPriest represents Jesus

Penance: Repent, “to be sorry”Penance: Repent, “to be sorry”

Conversion of heart, aConversion of heart, a Our sorrow, our willingness to change and not Our sorrow, our willingness to change and not

repeat the sin repeat the sin

What it Celebrates: Restoring Relationships: What it Celebrates: Restoring Relationships:

ConversionConversion Insight comes firstInsight comes first Paschal MysteryPaschal Mystery New life when we are freed New life when we are freed

Reconciliation- “coming back Reconciliation- “coming back together”together”

Restoring relationships – the first process of Restoring relationships – the first process of conversionconversion

Sacrament of Reconciliation provides Sacrament of Reconciliation provides For our need to be forgivenFor our need to be forgiven To confess to someone who represents God and the To confess to someone who represents God and the

community (priest)community (priest) To hear the words of forgiveness (absolution)To hear the words of forgiveness (absolution)

Ritual of ReconciliationRitual of Reconciliation

Two forms acceptable todayTwo forms acceptable today IndividualIndividual Communal with individual confession and Communal with individual confession and

absolutionabsolution AbsolutionAbsolution

Elements of the RiteElements of the Rite Greeting & blessing by priestGreeting & blessing by priest Scripture Scripture Confession of sinsConfession of sins Act of ContritionAct of Contrition Penance by priestPenance by priest Absolution by priest (laying on of hands or raised Absolution by priest (laying on of hands or raised

hand in blessing)hand in blessing) ““I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen” Prayer of thanksgiving and blessingPrayer of thanksgiving and blessing

EssentialEssential

Penitent's contritionPenitent's contrition Confession of sinConfession of sin PenancePenance Words of absolutionWords of absolution

HistoryHistory JesusJesus Priests & bishops Priests & bishops

““If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained the sins of any, they are retained (John 20-:23)(John 20-:23)

Early ChurchEarly Church Minor sins: informal sharing. Minor sins: informal sharing. Major Sins: Major Sins:

Baptism Baptism Excommunication Excommunication ““Second Baptism”Second Baptism”

55thth -6 -6thth Century: Private Confession, Irish Century: Private Confession, Irish MonksMonks

1313thth Century private confession decreed one Century private confession decreed one official formofficial form

Seal of confessionSeal of confession Current PracticesCurrent Practices