| RECONCILIATION |
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| BACK TO SACRAMENTS |
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| Reconciliation- Confession - 1st known as a second baptism. Baptism as you know marks a total break with sin and the member of the Church. But as humans, we tend to slip back into sin. Originally called Penance, originally the process was for the sinner to appear before the bishop in public ceremony. They admitted what they did, and said they were sorry. Then depending on the sin a penance was assigned. During the time of penance, the sinner could not enter the church, once completed they were welcomed back in. . |
| Now we go to Confession. Appear before a priest or in a confessional, tell our sins ank ask for forgiveness. The priest assigns a penance usally something to completed right after confession. Repeating of prayers. Then the priest speaking in the name of Jesus and the Church, laid his hands on the sinner and said the words of Absolution (forgiveness). |
| The Sacrament of Reconciliation focuses on healing, forgiveness, and peace. Confessing sins, getting hidden feelings out, forgiving others, and finding peace. Experiencing the Joy of Healing. |
| Difference sins: Mortal- serious sins destroys union with Jesus and the Church. Venial - less serious sins weakens our union with Jesus. |
| Confession is an integral part of the Christian faith. The meaning is to admit one's own guilt. |
| A method given by Jesus, to the Catholic Church by which individual men and women may confess sins committed after baptism and have their sins absolved by a priest. |
| Priests as an individual man, however pious or learned, has no power to forgive sins. This power belongs to God alone, however; God can and does exercise it through the Catholic Priest. With the words "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." |
| Act of Contrition- a prayer asking Jesus for forgiveness of sins. |
| In order for the sacrament to be valid, the sinner must do more than simply confess his known sins to a priest. He must (a) be truly sorry for each of his/her sins (b) have a firm commitment to never commit this sin again (c) perform the penance imposed by the priest. Also, in addition to confessing any mortal sins, the sinner must disclose how many times each sin was committed, to the best of thier ability. |
| A priest may never reveal to anyone, even authorities what is said in a confession. This is called the Seal of the Confessional. For a priest to break that confidentiality would lead to a latai senteniae (automatic) excommunication reserved to the Holy See. In a criminal matter a priest may encourage a sinner to surrender to authorities. |
| Guide to Confession / Sacrament of Penance Prior to Confession Reflect on this confession, prepare yourself for it as if it were your last. Ask God to give you the grace to make a good examination of concience. Preparatory Prayer O Holy Ghost, come in Thy mercy,enlighten my mind and strengthen my will, that I may know my sins, be sincerely sorry for them, humbly confess them, and sincerely amend my life. Mary, my mother, refuge of sinners, assist me in Thy intercessions, Holy Angels and Saints of God, pray for me. AMEN Examination of Conscience (all 10 commandments) 1- I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have false gods before me. -My faith - have I denied it? doubted it? - murmured against God - Despaired of His mercy, been presumptuous of his mercy? - gone to places of false worship - spoken disrespectfully of the Lord - Neglected daily prayers? -omitted religious duties - spoken of irreverence of priests, religious or sacred objects? 2- Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain - taken the Name of God in vain - taken oaths unnecessarily or lied under oath, or made oaths in slight & trivial matters. - Blasphemed? - Profaned anything relating to religion - Cursed yourself or others, - Angered others so as to make them swear. 3. Remember to keep holy the Sabath -Missed Sunday Mass or a day of obligation Late? Inattentive? Disrespectful in Church - did unnessary work on Sunday 4. Honor thy father and thy mother - Did I honor my parents, - did I disobey my parents - angered or insulted / or refused to help them. |
| 5. Thou shalt not kill - deliberately & unjustly caused another's death. - wished harm to another. - refused to speak with others - desired revenge? caused others to commit sin - guilty of abortion or advice or consented to 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery 7. Thou shall not steal 8. Thou shall not bear false witness. - lied , tale-bearing, trouble making - listened to gossip - judged someone else 9. thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife (also with # 6) - willingly took pleasure in impure thoughts or desires. - went to immodest places of amusement - kept or looked at immodest pictures - sang or enjoyed immodest songs - been in lewd company -Commited impure acts - guilty of contraception 10. thou shall not covet thy neighbors good (with # 7) -Stole or desired to pocess goods of someone elses - destroyed property of others - took employers goods - neglected or delayed to pay bills - deferred payment of wages OR COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH: 1. hear mass on Sundays and HOly Days 2. fast or abstain on the days appointed ate meat on Friday's of Lent 3. To confess once a year 4. To receive communion during Easter time 5. To contribute to the support of pastors. |
| seven capital sins 1. pride 2. covetousness 3. lust 4. anger 5. gluttony 6. envy 7. sloth FOUR SINS which Cry to Heaven for Vengance * willful murder * sin of Sodom * Oppression of the Poor * Defrauding the laborer of his wages |
| NOW GO TO CONFESSION Approach the confessional with the same reverence as would fill the heart if Our Lord Jesus Christ were seated there. Kneel in Confessional make the sign of the Cross Bless me Father for I have sinned, It has been ___ since my last confession. then tell your sins For these and all the sins of my past life, especially my sins of , I am heartly sorry. beg pardon of God, and absolution of you, Father. Listen with humility to what the priest has to say Acept His forgiveness in the name of Jesus. Repeat the act of Contrition (see prayers) |