2. The Sacrament of Penance
This is a sacrament of conversion. In it, we are
reconciled to God and to each other.
Because we are loved by God,
and humans who tend to sin,
we need the Sacrament of
Penance.
Penance frees us from sin and
restores our relationships with
God and others.
3. Sin is Moral Evil
Choosing to do something that we
know is wrong, that we know will
harm ourselves, others and God, is
sin.
4. How grave is the sin?
Venial sins are lesser sins, but by
repetition can lead to mortal sin
and/or a life of vice
Mortal Sin requires three things:
Grave Matter
Full knowledge of the
sinfulness of the act
Complete consent – act is
committed freely and
deliberately
5. Steps for a good confession
1. A sincere examination of conscience:
What have I done (or not done) that has or is
causing hurt? Sin always wounds someone. It
is essential to be truthful with yourself.
Use the booklet on confession, the 10
Commandments, or simply reflect on the
relationships in your life with family, friends,
colleagues, neighbors, the poor and
disenfranchised, yourself and God. There are
also online video examinations of conscience on
youtube.
6. Steps for a good confession
2. A sense of justice:
Spend some time thinking about what you
have done – or failed to do – and what you
would consider a just punishment if
someone had done the same to you.
Consider what you might need to do to
repair/restore the wrong you have done.
7. Steps for a good confession
3. A sense of contrition/sorrow:
Why are you sorry for your sins?
Fear of punishment?
Acting out of anger or passion in ways you
ordinarily would not?
The harm you have done to yourself?
The harm you have caused others?
The hurt you have caused God?
8. Steps for a good confession
4. A reflection on restoring the peace:
What will it take to restore the relationships
you have damaged to a peace-filled, loving
relationship?
What will you need to do? Say?
What will others have to forgive? What
would you like that forgiveness to look like?
9. Steps for a good confession
5. After reflection, approach the priest
At the Penance Service on March 17, there
will be several priests. You can confess to
any one of them.
Start by telling the priest that you are
joining the Church at Easter and that this is
your first confession. He will help you
through the sacrament.
10. Steps for a good confession
6. Confess your sins
All mortal sins must be confessed.
Venial sins that are habitual or especially
troubling should be confessed.
11. Steps for a good confession
7. Say you are sorry.
During a communal Penance service, the Act
of Contrition is sometimes prayed together,
or
Use a traditional Act of Contrition (you can
bring the booklet with you.)
Or tell God you are sorry for your sins in
your own words.
12. Steps for a good confession
8. Listen to whatever the priest advises.
At a communal Penance service, a general
penance is assigned, but the priest may
offer some advice pertinent to your
situation.
13. Steps for a good confession
9. Bow your head for absolution:
The priest will pray the words of absolution,
signing you with the Sign of the Cross as he
does so.
14. Steps for a good confession
10. Go in peace:
Return to a pew for prayers of penance and
thanksgiving to God for the gift of mercy
before leaving.
15. Celebration of the Sacrament
Penance may be celebrated as
often as the penitent feels
necessary. The Church requires us
to celebrate this sacrament once a
year, or any time we commit a
MORTAL sin.
In most parishes, a Penance
Service is held during the seasons
of Advent and Lent, and
confessions are heard weekly, or
by appointment with a priest.
The minister of Penance is a priest
or bishop.
Ordinarily, Penance is celebrated
before First Eucharist around the
age of seven.
16. The priest then prays the words of absolution:
"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. Amen.“
As the priest says, in the name of the Father,…
the penitent makes the Sign of the Cross.
He will generally dismiss the penitent with
“Peace be with you” or similar words.
17. After confession
Penance is done as prescribed by the
priest. It may be prayer, acts of charity
or other acts intended to bring healing
to relationships, restitution for wrong-
doing and a habitual change in the
sinner’s behavior. Regardless of the
penance, ordinarily the penitent spends
time in prayer immediately after
confession.
