Sacrament of the Reconciliation

Who started the Reconciliation?

In his compassion and kindness, Jesus Christ created confession as a sacrament. It is here that we encounter the compassionate Jesus, who forgives sinners for transgressions against God and neighbor. Confession also allows sinners to reconcile with the Church, which is likewise hurt by our sins.

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel”
(Mark 1:15)

Penance was instituted by Christ after the resurrection when he breathed on the disciples and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:23). Matthew 16:15-20 also mentions a similar theme where Jesus gives Peter the keys and the authority to bind and loose. The book of James gives witness to the early form of public confession, as well as to its healing power (James 5:13-18).

Source: https://www.madalenetulsa.org/Reconciliation

How do I go to Confession?
The following may be helpful in preparing for confession. Above all, do not be afraid. If you are hesitant about what to do, ask the priest for help:
🟤 Greeting:
The priest welcomes the penitent warmly and greets him or her with kindness.
🟤 Sign of the Cross:
Then the penitent makes the Sign of the Cross, which the priest may also make.
🟤 Invitation to Trust in God:
The priest invites the penitent to have trust in God using one of the formulas in the ritual or similar words. If the penitent is unknown to the priest, it is proper for the penitent to indicate his or her state in life (married, single, or clergy), the time of his or her last confession and anything else that may help the confessor in exercising his ministry.
🟤 Reading of the Word of God:
🟤 Confession of Sins and Acceptance of Satisfaction:
The penitent confesses his or her sins and accepts the prayers or deeds that the priest proposes as a penance.
🟤 Prayer of the Penitent and Absolution:
The priest asks the penitent to express sorrow by praying one of the prayers found in the ritual or in his or her own words. The priest then prays the Prayer of Absolution, to which the penitent responds: “Amen.”
🟤 Proclamation of Praise and Dismissal:
The priest continues: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” The penitent responds: “His mercy endures forever.” The priest then dismisses the penitent, using one of the formulas found in the ritual.

Source: https://www.solg.org/en/sacraments-celebrations/the-sacrament-of-reconciliation/

What are the essential elements of the sacrament of Reconciliation?

The essential elements are two: the acts of the penitent who comes to repentance through the action of the Holy Spirit, and the absolution of the priest who in the name of Christ grants forgiveness and determines the ways of making satisfaction.

Source: http://www.tresecclesiae.org/reconciliation

Did you know that Reconciliation is Intimately United to Our Private Prayer?

The Sacraments are so incredibly important to our spiritual lives that I highly recommend them as the first step for anyone how wants to learn how to pray. Do it if you don't go to Reconciliation at least once a month! Even if you don't believe you've done any fatal crimes, you should go. I strongly advise executing your act of penance as soon as possible after receiving absolution in the sacrament - and then spending some extra time in God's presence in prayer. Then I suggest you do something to honor God's kindness and love! Enjoy a special lunch or other treat to commemorate the occasion. Then, the next day, make sure to maintain the momentum that grace has started. Resuming your prayer practice is a good idea. Reconciliation can, and should, become a regular part of your prayer life.

Source: https://www.fromtheabbey.com/keys-chapel-christian-prayer/practical-prayer/5-surprising-facts-about-the-sacrament-of-confession/

What forms does penance take in the Christian life?

Penance can be expressed in many and various ways but above all in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These and many other forms of penance can be practiced in the daily life of a Christian, particularly during the time of Lent and on the penitential day of Friday.

Source: http://stgeorgeaj.com/reconciliation

Did you know that Reconciliation isn't just for mortal sins?

The primary purpose of Confession to seek forgiveness and healing for mortal sins. Mortal sins are those sins in which we knowingly choose a serious evil. These sins destroy our relationship with God and alienate us from the Family of God.
But what about the venial sins that don’t destroy our relationship, but do make the relationship more difficult? We’re wise to seek forgiveness for these “venial sins” often.

Venial sins can be forgiven outside of the Sacrament of Confession – through prayer, the Penitential Rite at Mass, acts of devotion, or acts of loving service. But the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a special “font of grace.” Not only does Jesus forgive us, But He also gives us the wise counsel of our confessor and He gives us the sacramental grace. This grace can be a special fortification against sin and a strengthening of our quest for the conversion of heart.

It is not wise to avoid the Sacrament of Reconciliation because we think we have not committed any mortal sin. Our spiritual lives need direction – the direction that comes from God through the sacramental grace, and direction that comes through the human wisdom of the confessor.

Source: https://www.fromtheabbey.com/keys-chapel-christian-prayer/practical-prayer/5-surprising-facts-about-the-sacrament-of-confession/

When did He institute this sacrament?

The Sacrament of Penance, instituted by Jesus, to forgive sins committed after baptism. Jesus breathed on the apostles the night of his Resurrection and gave them the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive and retain sins.

Source: http://www.tresecclesiae.org/reconciliation

Did you know that Penance is not just a mere human invention by the church?

Aimed at manipulating and securing the feeling of emotional relief over troubled souls and consciences from the guilt of sins, rather, it is a a means appointed by Christ to remit for our sins. As humans, we are bound by the weakness of our body to fall into temptations of sin, but it is only through Christ that we can show that we are deeply sorry for our sins and obtain pardon not on conditions of our own chosen but on those appointed by God. All these is embodied in the holy sacrament of penance.

Source: https://catholicsay.com/facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-sacrament-of-reconcilliation/

What is Sacrament of Reconciliation?

It is also known as Penance or Confession. People go to confession in the Roman Catholic Church to confess their wrongdoings (sins) and to receive God's healing through forgiveness. Confession also allows for reconciliation with the Church, which has been damaged by people's sins.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z4wg7nb/revision/4https://