Reconciliation - St. Raymond Catholic Parish

Reconciliation

Some questions & answers...

What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Reconciliation is one of the sacraments whereby the healing ministry of Jesus is continued. The others are the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist. A person who has seriously damaged their relationship with God and the Christian community seeks to be reconciled to both.

This sacrament has been known by different names which emphasize its parts: contrition, the desire to reform one's life; confession, the relating of one's sins to a priest; penance, some act that makes restitution and helps prevent further sin; and absolution, the pronouncement by the priest of God's forgiveness. The overall effect is reconciliation, the setting right of broken relationships, both with God and with others. It has been variously called, Confession, Penance and Reconciliation. Theologians feel that the name Reconciliation better describes what the sacrament is all about.

Why must I confess to a priest?

Because the priest is the designated representative of the Christian community. The prayer of absolution states that it is through the ministry of the whole Church that a person is pardoned of sin and the priest is the representative of the whole church.

How is the Sacrament of Reconciliation celebrated?

The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be celebrated in three ways:

The first rite is familiar to most people: private confession and absolution of a single penitent. Only the priest and the penitent are present.
The second rite is for several penitents, ususally communally, with private confession and absolution. Most parishes now have communal services which use this rite. There is celebration of the Word of the God, singing, and mutual supportive prayer as well as confession and absolution.
The third rite is for exceptional circumstances (e.g. soldiers just before a battle). It involves a communal service for several (usually many) penitents with general confession and absolution.

When should someone seek reconciliation?

Whenever you are conscious of serious sin. Only serious sins must be confessed. It is recommended that lesser sins be confessed once in awhile because many little things can add up to a trend or tendency.

What is "Serious Sin"?

Serious sin is any action or attitude that causes serious damage to one's relationship with God or other people. It involves full knowledge of what one is doing and free consent to do it anyway.

How often should I receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

This is hard to answer. In the absence of serious sin, most people should receive the sacrament every few months, perhaps three or four times a year. It depends on the circumstances of a person's life and what spiritual problems they have.

COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Communal services are held during Advent and Lent. Schedules are printed in the bulletin.

CELEBRATION OF INDIVIDUAL RECONCILIATION

Individual Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday afternoons at 3:30 pm.

The reconciliation rooms are just inside the main body of the Church near the main entrance, to the right and left as you come in the main doors. There are lights by the reconciliation room doors to indicate whether the room is occupied.