Sacrament of Reconciliation Examination of Conscience January 9

Sacrament of Reconciliation & Examination of Conscience January 9, 2018 Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation

Opening Prayer God our Father, you are full of love and forgiveness. We come before you now, as we are trying to find our way. Trying to make the right choices, but sometimes failing. Lord Jesus when you were nailed to the cross, the world came to know the depth, the length and the breadth of your love. We gaze upon your cross in wonder. We ask you to heal us, to make us whole by your forgiving love. Oh Holy Spirit, open our minds and our hearts that we may see our lives as they really are and see what our lives may become in you. Amen. Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 2

Human Experience Share: Recall a time when you’ve “made up” with a friend or family member. What did that look like? What were your feelings? “When any one of us chooses to act as Jesus was known to act, we too become living sacraments in our world. When I forgive my brother or sister from my heart, I become a sacrament of forgiveness; I unveil the face of God who forgives, just as Jesus himself did. ” Beguerie and Duchesneau, How to Understand the Sacraments Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 3

Key Messages • This is a sacrament of healing • It’s hard but it’s worth it and it’s good for you • The focus on healing relationships with God, self, others and creation • 4 elements are part of a valid sacrament; confession, contrition, absolution, satisfaction Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 4

Review: What are Sacraments? • ‘sacramentium’ means ‘sign’ in Latin • They are “outward, visible signs of inward and spiritual graces” • They are celebrated at privileged moments in our lives • They were instituted by Christ, have • grounds in Scripture and Tradition • 7 sacraments in the Catholic Church • Grace is not a “thing” but a relationship between us & Trinity to which God freely invites us Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation “The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions. ” Catechism of the Catholic Church 5

Scriptural Examples of Forgiveness & Reconciliation • Lost Sheep (Luke 15: 4 -7) • Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11 -32) • Samaritan Woman (John 4: 5 -26) • Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1 -10) • Woman caught in Adultery (John 8: 3 -11) • Good Thief (Luke 23: 39 -43) [on the cross; “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”] Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 6

Different Names • There are different names for the same sacrament, which reflect a different focus over the years. • Any of them is fine, according to Catechism of the Church • Penance: focus on paying back; making amends • Confession: focus on owning up; examination of conscience • Reconciliation – focus on getting life back in balance with God and the Church • The liturgical rite is officially called the Rite of Penance & Reconciliation. Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 7

Other Sacraments have elements of forgiveness • Baptism has the forgiveness of sins, esp. original sin • At Eucharist, we are “remembering” the Paschal mystery; the shedding of blood and the forgiveness of sins. “sacrifice of atonement which causes the forgiveness of sins” • Anointing of the sick also speaks of forgiveness Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 8

When should you go? • It is a sacrament of healing, so if it is burdening you, then confess it. Priest doesn’t “judge”; he is a representative of the Church and an instrument of Christ for the forgiveness of sins • All are encouraged to take advantage of the Sacrament on a regular & frequent basis. It helps us keep aware of our spiritual progress and provides the grace to overcome our sins. • Catholics are required to receive the Sacrament at least once per year. However, if you are aware of having committed any mortal sin, you should receive the Sacrament. USCCB Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 9

What is Sin? • Sin is turning away, rejecting “Love” of God, breaking the right relationship with God • Mortal Sin…destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law, it turns men away from God, who is the ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him. [CCC 1855] • Venial Sin… allows charity [love] to subsist even though it offends and wounds it. [CCC 1855] • Our Conscience is an extraordinary source of formation and information Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 10

Examination of Conscience See Handouts on Examination of Conscience for: – Singles – Married Couples – Young Adults – Children Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 11

Requirements for the Sacrament 4 Elements are required for a valid Sacrament of Reconciliation 1. 2. 3. 4. Contrition (Sorrow) Confession Absolution Redemption (Penance) Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation “Father, I have sinned in thought, in word, in deed and in internet chat rooms. ” 12

1. Contrition • A sincere sorrow for having offended God • The most important act of the penitent • There can be no forgiveness of sin if we do not have sorrow and a firm resolve not to repeat it Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation “Forgive me, father. I have cold-called 482 people selling bogus services. That’s an improvement of 32% since my last confession. 13

2. Confession • confronting our sins in a profound way to God by speaking about them —aloud— to a priest Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 14

3. Absolution • The priest by “power of the keys” imparts the words which reconcile a sinner to God through the merits of the Cross. Prayer of Absolution: Then the priest extends his hands over the penitent's head (or at least extends his right hand) and says: God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. The penitent answers: Amen. -- From Rite of Reconciliation of Individual Penitents Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 15

4. Redemption / Penance • An important part of our healing is the “penance” imposed in reparation for our sins • We are remitting debt through spiritual, physical or material punishment still owed even after absolution • Examples: heartfelt Lord’s prayer, acts of love and service • This is the practice the living out of the sacrament in one’s life, in being a reconciling and forgiving person with spouse and family & community Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 16

Basic Format • YOU: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It has been ___ long since my last confession and these are my sins: ____” • Priest: Short time of counsel and advice about the sins • Priest: gives you penance appropriate to the confession • Priest asks you pray the Act of Contrition (2 options below), while he prays the prayer of absolution Act of Contrition My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen. Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation My God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen. 17

In Summary • Sacrament of Reconciliation is an opportunity to heal the wounds caused by our sins; within ourselves and in our relationship with God and with others • We are cleaned, reconciled with God & others, feel a renewed purpose to be another Christ unto the world • It is a time to accept the gift of God’s eternal love Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 18

Discussion • Discuss your previous knowledge of or experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. • What new thing did you learn that surprised you? Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 19

Reflection, Discovery, Integration • By what name have I known the sacrament of (reconciliation, penance, confession)? How has that affected my view of it? • In what ways am I in need of healing? Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 20

Response How can I be a better sign of God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy to others? Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 21

Closing Prayer Lord, With your bright and open heart forgive me for showing darkness to the light. Putting my back to what is right was wrong and I have sinned against you. Forgive me, O merciful one, because I have relished my wrong and I am sorry for what I have done. Lord, I am ready to continue following in your footsteps. Take my from the dark. Hear me now, O lord. Amen Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 22

Credits & Sources • • • Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2 nd Edition United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: www. usccb. org Lumen Gentium: www. vatican. va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vatii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en. html Scripture citations: www. biblegateway. com (NRSVCE) Understanding the 7 Sacraments: www. catholiccompany. com Sacraments Table: kofc 9210. org/Sacraments. html Fr. Warwick James, Sacrament of Penance, ILM lecture 10/27/2010 From Trent (1545 -1563) to Vatican II (1962 -1965): Historical and Theological Investigations by By W. David Myers, Edited By Raymond F. Bulman & Frederick J. Parrella “About the Sacrament of Reconcilation”, Scriptographic Booklet by Channing L. Bete Co. Inc. Presentation prepared by Joanna Thurmann Faith Formation: RCIA | Sacrament of Reconciliation 23