MEETING JESUS IN THE SACRAMENTSCHAPTER 6THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

Whats Going on with Confession?The Church teaches the necessity of confessing your sins at least once a year by receiving this sacrament

Yet, a majority of Catholics surveyed believed that you could be a good Catholic without going to Confession.

So, whats going on with Confession?

Four Dimensions of the Sacrament of PenanceMemorialCelebrationCommunionTransformation

The sacrament is necessary because it provides the grace to cleanse our souls of sin.

Names for this SacramentCONVERSIONCONFESSIONPENANCEFORGIVENESSRECONCILIATION

Understanding the Sacrament of Penance and ReconciliationThe sacrament is rooted in the forgiving actions of Jesus himself

Only God forgives sinsbecause of Christ, we are no longer only sinners; we are sinners who have been forgiven.

Gods Infinite MercyWe cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him

The Sacrament of Penance offers us the opportunity to repair our relationship with God and receive his mercy

Ongoing ConversionThe movement of a contrite heart, drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first

The Church and the Sacrament of PenanceJesus chose to give his Apostles the power to forgive sins in his name

The Churchs ministers of the sacrament are bishops and priests

A Brief History of the Sacrament of PenanceIn early years, Christians who committed serious sins after Baptism were enrolled in the Order of Penitents and underwent rigorous penitential discipline.In 7th century, Irish missionaries began to hear private confession because no bishops were present.The justice aspect of sin was overemphasizedIn early 20th century most Catholics went weeklyVatican II emphasized the reconciliation aspect of the sacrament.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and ReconciliationPrivate individual confessionCommunal celebration with individual confession and individual absolutionCommunal celebration with general confession and general absolution

Examination of ConscienceAn honest assessment of how well we have lived Gods covenant of love, beginning with the Ten Commandments. This examination leads us to accept responsibility for our sins and to realize our need of Gods merciful forgiveness.

SinConditions for Mortal Sin

The moral object must be of grave (serious) matterThe person must have full knowledge of the gravity of the sinful actionThe person must completely consent to the action

Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and ReconciliationContritionHeartfelt sorrow and aversion for the sin committed along with the intention of sinning no morePerfect contrition: sorrow for sin because we love God and want to be in relationship with himImperfect contrition: sorrow for sin because we fear being punished for sin

Confession of SinsAll mortal sins committed since our last confession of which we are aware after making a serious examination of conscience must be confessed

This confession also expresses our belief in the goodness of the Church that will welcome us back

Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and ReconciliationSatisfactionThe confessor imposes a penance in line with the gravity and nature of the sins committed

The penances help configure us to Christ and help us suffer with himAbsolution of SinsThe prayer by which a priest, by the power given to the Church by Jesus Christ, pardons a repentant sinner

After a persons genuine confession and Act of Contrition, the priest extends his hands over that person and pronounces Gods forgiveness

The Grace of Penance and ReconciliationSIN DAMAGES OUR CONNECTION WITH GOD AND OTHERS

The Sacrament of Penance brings about forgiveness of sin, which in turn makes communion with God possible

The Nature of ReconciliationRECONCILIATION: to restore to union, to rejoin, to put together again

The whole power of the sacrament . . . consists in restoring us to Gods grace and rejoining us with him in an intimate friendship

The Grace of Penance and ReconciliationReconciliation with God is the purpose and effect of this sacrament.The sacrament also restores us to fellowship and communion with the Church.The sacrament also brings about peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation.

What Are Indulgences?A partial or total wiping away of punishment due for sins that have been forgiven

We must work off temporal punishment in this world or in Purgatorythe Church Sufferingthrough acts of penance

The process of asking for and receiving the assistance of the Churchthe Communion of Saintsis what is entailed in the granting and asking of indulgences

We Are Changed by Gods ForgivenessRise, pick up your stretcher and go home

Go in peace

Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more

We Are Changed by Gods ForgivenessPRACTICAL DISCIPLINERETURN FORGIVENESSREFRAIN FROM ANGER AND REVENGEPURSUE JUSTICE AND PEACEANSWER THE CALL TO PERFECTION

St. John VianneyThe humble, gentle, and patient Cure of Ars who is considered the patron saint of parish priests

Put yourself on good terms with God . . . You will sleep as quietly as an angel.