The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).ppt

Sacrament of Reconciliation

1. The SacramentThe Sacrament
ofof
ReconciliationReconciliation

2. Why do we need Reconciliation:Why do we need Reconciliation:

Sin separates us from God.Sin separates us from God.

Mortal Sin breaks our Mortal Sin breaks our
relationship with Him.relationship with Him.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation The Sacrament of Reconciliation
“reconciles” us to God and “reconciles” us to God and
restores our relationship to Him restores our relationship to Him
and to the community of His and to the community of His
people, the church.people, the church.

The message of John the Baptist: The message of John the Baptist:
“Repent, for the kingdom of “Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand!” (Mt 3:2)heaven is at hand!” (Mt 3:2)

3. The Authority of ReconciliationThe Authority of Reconciliation
Comes from Jesus Christ Himself Comes from Jesus Christ Himself

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with
you. As the Father has sent me, so I you. As the Father has sent me, so I
send you.” And when he had said this, send you.” And when he had said this,
he breathed on them and said to them, he breathed on them and said to them,
““Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you
forgive are forgiven them, and whose forgive are forgiven them, and whose
sins you retain are retained.”sins you retain are retained.”
John 20:21-23John 20:21-23

4. The Authority of Reconciliation ContinuedThe Authority of Reconciliation Continued

Through the previous scripture passage we can see that Through the previous scripture passage we can see that
the ability to forgive sins was clearly given to the the ability to forgive sins was clearly given to the
apostles.apostles.

Throughout time, this authority has been handed down Throughout time, this authority has been handed down
from Pope to Pope in the Tradition of the Church.from Pope to Pope in the Tradition of the Church.

Each Pope has ordained bishops with this authority and Each Pope has ordained bishops with this authority and
they in turn ordained priests.they in turn ordained priests.

This has continued non-stop to the present day for the This has continued non-stop to the present day for the
nearly 2000 years of the Church’s life.nearly 2000 years of the Church’s life.

5. Jesus
The Pope
Bishops
Priests
The Authority to Forgive Sins Passed Down

6. The Priest & the Sacrament of ReconciliationThe Priest & the Sacrament of Reconciliation

The priest is acting The priest is acting “in persona Christi”“in persona Christi” or in the person of or in the person of
Christ while hearing your confession. This means that Jesus Christ while hearing your confession. This means that Jesus
Christ is acting through the priest. Christ is acting through the priest.

The priest may not disclose any information he is told in the The priest may not disclose any information he is told in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation in any way. This is called the Sacrament of Reconciliation in any way. This is called the
Seal of Confession. He is to hold your information Seal of Confession. He is to hold your information
confidential even under penalty of death. To do otherwise confidential even under penalty of death. To do otherwise
incurs an automatic excommunication for the priest. incurs an automatic excommunication for the priest.

One always has the right to go to confession anonymously One always has the right to go to confession anonymously
(or behind a screen) if you desire. If both you and the priest (or behind a screen) if you desire. If both you and the priest
agree, you may also go to confession face-to-face.agree, you may also go to confession face-to-face.

7. In Order to Make a Good ConfessionIn Order to Make a Good Confession

One should make a thorough examination of one’s One should make a thorough examination of one’s
conscience prior to entering the confessional. The conscience prior to entering the confessional. The
most common way of doing this is by using the 10 most common way of doing this is by using the 10
Commandments.Commandments.

One should be sincerely sorry for your sins.One should be sincerely sorry for your sins.

It is necessary to confess all of the mortal sins that It is necessary to confess all of the mortal sins that
one can remember and the number of times that one one can remember and the number of times that one
committed them to the best of your memory to the committed them to the best of your memory to the
priest.priest.

While it is not strictly necessary to confess venial While it is not strictly necessary to confess venial
sins, one is encouraged to do so.sins, one is encouraged to do so.

Lastly, do the penance that the priest gives you.Lastly, do the penance that the priest gives you.

8. What to DoWhat to Do

Enter the confessional and make the sign of the cross.Enter the confessional and make the sign of the cross.

Say, “Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been (length Say, “Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been (length
of time) since my last confession. These are my sins” and of time) since my last confession. These are my sins” and
state your sins honestly.state your sins honestly.

Listen to the advice of the priest and to the penance he Listen to the advice of the priest and to the penance he
gives you.gives you.

Make an Act of Contrition.Make an Act of Contrition.

The priest will then give you absolution.The priest will then give you absolution.

The priest will say, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.” The priest will say, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.”
You respond, “For His mercy endures forever.”You respond, “For His mercy endures forever.”

The priest will then say, “The Lord has freed you from your The priest will then say, “The Lord has freed you from your
sins. Go in peace.” You respond, “Thanks be to God.”sins. Go in peace.” You respond, “Thanks be to God.”

Leave the confessional and do your penance as soon as Leave the confessional and do your penance as soon as
possible.possible.

9. Come to me, all you who labor
and are burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of
heart; and you will find rest for
yourselves. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden light.”
Matthew 11:28-30