Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 419 Jones Street, Moville, IA 51039-0802 US - THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

God loves us completely and unconditionally and from this abundance flows the forgiveness of sins. In Jesus Christ this divine love is fully manifested. The life, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as a whole, unlocks for us the font of new, risen, healed life as we are incorporated into the mystery of Christ and his Church in baptism. Those who fall into sin after baptism are not baptized again, but instead experience the bountiful mercy and forgiveness of God in the sacrament of reconciliation.

How is the rupturing effect of sin repaired in the celebration of reconciliation? First of all, those who are moved by the Spirit to avail themselves of the sacrament do so marked by a radical reorientation of the inner person. In other words, prompted by God’s grace, true sorrow for one’s sins encourages a person to an inner change of heart and conversion and therefore leads the sinner to be reconciled (CCC 1431). Part of this inner change may also be prompted by an examination of conscience assisted by the scriptures or with the help of a spiritual director.

The believer then approaches the sacrament. There are four parts to the actual celebration. First, the love of God—which has moved one to celebrate the sacrament—is proclaimed and the believer expresses sorrow and contrition for having sinned. In addition, a firm resolution to avoid sin in the future is also expressed (CCC 1451). Second, the sins themselves are admitted. This is always done privately to a priest, who presides over the celebration of this sacrament. The priest cannot make use of, act upon, or reveal these sins under any circumstances (CCC 1467). The private and secret nature of confession that binds the priest to silence is called “the sacramental seal.” Third, the wrong that is done in sinning must be compensated and therefore satisfaction offered. This is also known as penance (CCC 1459-60). While frequently this satisfaction is offered by prayer, it can also extend to concrete activities of charitable works, service of one’s neighbor, and voluntary self-sacrifice. Fourth, the priest extends his hands over the head of the believer in blessing and prays a prayer of absolution. The absolution prayer expresses that it is God alone who forgives and reconciles the sinner to God and to the Church (CCC 1441).

Catholics believe that there is no experience of pain or sickness outside the reach of God’s healing presence. There is no sin so terrible that God cannot forgive it.

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WHEN was the last time you celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation? The Eucharist and other prayers does forgive sins. But ONLY the Sacrament of Reconciliation ABSOLVES [washes away] our sins. Please stop in for a visit and a free soul cleansing!

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THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION was instituted by Jesus Christ [see Mt. 16:19] in his love and mercy to offers sinners [us] forgiveness for offenses committed against God. At the same time, sinners reconcile with the Church that is also wounded by our sins. We know this sacrament by various names: Penance, Confession, or Reconciliation.

This sacrament is good news for all of us because we all are sinners and in need of God’s forgiveness. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation we meet Christ in the person of the priest, ready and eager to absolve us and restore us to new life. We confess our sins to God through his minister, the priest, who absolves us in the name of Christ.

Why should we confess? The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing and of conversion, returning us to the Father after our sin. We are to confess serious sins at least once a year and people aware of committing mortal sins must celebrate Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion.

The Church also encourages us to celebrate the sacrament more frequently in order that we might deepen our relationship with God and grow in humility and virtue. The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers us the grace to avoid future sin.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION requires the three acts of contrition, confession, and satisfaction.

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