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The Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The
Sacrament of Reconciliation is called by different
names. These different names highlight the different
dimensions of the Sacrament. Confession stresses
the importance of acknowledging our sins while asking
for Gods forgiving grace. Sacrament of Penance
emphasizes the whole process of conversion, including
contrition, repentance and satisfaction (or penance),
which the penitent enters into, both personally and as
member of the Church community. Sacrament of
Reconciliation brings out the inner relationship
between being reconciled with God and with
neighbour. This module touches on
these different
dimensions of the Sacrament.

Objectives
Doctrine To
understand
that
through
the
Sacrament of Reconciliation God forgives
our sins and reconciles us with Himself
and neighbour.
Moral
To strive to avoid committing sins and to
follow Gods commandment.
Worship To celebrate Gods love and mercy in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation.

is this old story about a

young woman who died and was brought to heaven.
She lived a bad life here on earth. So bad that when
she arrived at the gate of heaven, she was told that
she could only be admitted on one condition. And this
is the condition: she must return to earth and bring
back the gift that God values above all other gifts. The
young woman returned to earth. There she thought
and thought about that gift which is closest to Gods
heart.
Then one day she came upon a young man who has
just offered his life for the faith. Ah she thought this
is indeed the gift that God values most - the blood of
someone who has died for the faith. So she took a
drop of the young mans blood and brought it back to
heaven. But when she presented this, she was told
that there is still something more that God values
other than the blood of a martyr.
So she returned to earth again and diligently looked for
that gift which God values above all other gifts. Then
she came upon an old missionary preaching Gods
word among the poor. Ah she thought this is indeed
the gift God values most - the sweat of someone who
has spent her life bringing the Good News of Salvation
to the poor. So she took a drop of the old missionarys
sweat and brought it back to heaven. But when she
presented this, she was told that there was something
more that God values other than the sweat of an old
missionary.

Then when she was about to give up, she came upon a
man who was on his knees, crying sorrowfully and
humbly asking Gods mercy and forgiveness for his
many sins. The woman took a drop of the mans tears
and brought it back to heaven. The gate of heaven was
opened wide for her for the tear of repentance is what
God values above all other gifts.
Repentance is the gift that God values above all other
gifts; it is closest to Gods heart. It unlocks Gods
overflowing love and mercy and welcomes the
repentant sinner back to His embrace.
In Lk 15:17, Jesus tells us: I tell you there will be more
rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner than
over ninety-nine upright who do not need to repent.

Learn from MeThose

who approach the

Sacrament of Reconciliation obtain Gods mercy and
pardon for sins committed against Him, and are, at the
same time, reconciled with the Church whom they
have wounded by their sins and who hopes and prays
for their conversion (CCC1422; CFC 1771). Confession
frees us from the bondage of sin and helps us to be
reconciled with our brothers and sisters.
Let us read from one of the more popular stories of
Jesus about a son who realizes his sin and returns back
to his father. The story is called The Parable of the
Prodigal Son; prodigal means one who spends his
money wastefully. (Ask an adult to help you find the
story in the Bible.)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk. 15: 11-24).

There was a man who had two sons, and the younger one of
them said to the father, Father, give me the share of
property (inheritance) that belongs to me. And the father
divided his property between his two sons.
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all that he
had and took off to a far country, and there wasted his
money on loose living. And when he had spent everything, a
great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in
want. So he went and hired himself to one of the citizens of
that country, who sent him into his field to feed swine (pigs).
And he would gladly eat of the pods which the swine ate,
and no one gave him any. But when he came to his senses,
he said, How many of my fathers hired servants have
more than enough to eat, and here I am dying of hunger! I
will get up and go back to my father, and I will say to him,
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am
not worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your
hired servants. And he got up and went back to his father.
But while the son was still far off, the father saw him and
had compassion, and run towards him and embraced and
kissed him. The son said to him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you; I am not worthy to be
called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring
quickly the best robe, and put it on him; put a ring on his
finger, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and
kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this son of mine is
dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they
began to make merry.
Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew
near the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called
one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said
to him, Your brother has come and your father has killed
the fatted calf because he has come back safe and sound.
He was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and

tried to talk to him, but he answered his father, Lo, these

many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your
commands; yet you never gave me a small goat that I may
feast with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who
has wasted your money on bad women, you killed for him
the fatted calf! The father said to him, Son, you are
always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to
make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is
alive; he was lost and is found.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son tells us of a repentant

son who realizes and humbly admits his sinfulness and
is welcomed back by the father.
The father in the story represents God, the loving and
forgiving father, full of compassion and mercy; without
accusing his son readily welcomes him back. He
celebrates the return of his son for he was dead and is
now alive; he was lost and is now found.
The story shows the unconditional love of God for all of
us. He loves us because we are His children. He loves
us despite our faults; He forgives us our sins as long as
we are truly sorry for them and that we have a firm
resolution to change our old sinful ways. He patiently
waits and welcomes us back every time we turn our
back on Him. God never turns His back on us, He never
leaves us; it is us who turn our backs on Him and leave
Him.
The elder son represents the self-righteous, those who
think highly of themselves, that they do not have any
fault of their own and that they are the only ones who
deserve Gods love. He feels bad that the father
accepts back his wayward brother.

Reflections on the Parable. The parable helps us to

reflect on our lives, on those times when we rebel/sin
against God and our process of conversion; it helps us
to understand ourselves as we journey away from
God and as we journey back to Him.
The journey away from God begins with PRIDE. In the
parable, the younger son demands the share of his
inheritance (despite the fact that the father is still
alive), he says, Father, give me the share of property
that belongs to me...Not many days later, the
younger son gathered all that he had and took off to a
far country Pride is to think that we can stand on
our own, that we do not need God in our lives.
The son lives (rather, exists) away from the shadow of
his father, throwing away the familys good name and
the values he learned at home. In the parable, we
read, the son wasted his money on loose living. When
we sin, we do not live the values taught by Jesus and
we give up our good standing as children of God; we
lose the grace we received at Baptism.
Not long after, because of his wasteful and
extravagant spending (living a meaningless existence),
the sons inheritance money runs out.
Worse, a
famine breaks out in that country. Now, he lives a poor
and miserable life. The parable says, And when he
had spent everything, a great famine arose in that
country, and he began to be in want. When we sin we
experience a spiritual famine or dryness; we are
isolated from God and our neighbour and we feel
miserable.
The parable continues, So he went and hired himself
to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him
into his field to feed swine (pigs). And he would gladly

eat of the pods which the swine ate, and no one gave
him any. The son now becomes a slave to his new
master who sent him to feed his pigs; pigs, at the time
of Jesus, were considered unclean. When we sin, we
become slaves to sin and to our consciences. That is
why people say: My conscience is bothering me.
[St. Paul, struggling with the slavery of sin in him, tells
us, I do not understand my own actions. For I do not
do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this
body of death? He answers his own questions,
Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus
Christ! (Rom 7: 15/24-25)]
The misery, which the son now experiences, brings
him to his senses. In the midst of his misery, he
remembers his father, How many of my fathers hired
servants have more than enough to eat, and here I am
dying of hunger! And he puts together his plan, I
will get up and go back to my father, and I will say to
him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and
against you; I am not worthy to be called your son;
treat me as one of your hired servants. And he puts
his plan into action, And he got up and went back to
his father.
Conversion begins with a coming to ones senses.
Repenting to what one has done, the feeling of being
sorry to the wrong deeds that are being made and the
willingness to confess its sins. Conversion means a
change of heart expressed (lived) in concrete
words and actions, in ones concrete day-to-day
living. Conversion is our response to our Heavenly
Father who patiently calls us back.

And we have the happiest ending ever in this Parable

of the Prodigal Son. On seeing his son from a distance,
the father had compassion, and run towards him and
embraced and kissed him.
Not demanding any
explanation nor allowing his son to speak any further,
the father orders his servants, Bring quickly the best
robe, and put it on him; put a ring on his finger, and
shoes on his feet Putting the robe, the ring and the
shoes on the son means to give him back his dignity as
a son. For this son of mine is dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found. In the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, the grace which we received in
Baptism, but which we lose because of sin, is restored.
Indeed, the return of the Prodigal Son calls for a
celebration. A homecoming is a reason for
celebration. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a
celebration for it is a homecoming. God and the
community welcomes back the penitent sinner; the
penitent sinner is reconciled with God and the Church.
The whole ministry of Jesus is a proclamation of Gods
mercy and compassion, especially for sinners. Jesus
points out, Those who are in good health have no
need for a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and
learn what this means, I desire mercy and not
sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but
sinners. (Mt. 9: 12-13)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation calls us to an
on-going process of personal conversionto be
truly sorry for our sins, to make up for our sins
and the sins of others and strive to do better
with Gods grace.

Who forgives sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

It is the Triune God who forgives:
the Father reconciles us to Himself
through Christ who empowered his apostles
with the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins.(CFC
1849)
How is going to Confession a profession of faith?
By going to Confession we affirm our faith-convictions
that
By going to Confession, we affirm our faith-convictions
that we are sinners, needing Gods merciful
forgiveness, which comes to us through Christ and His
Church, in the sacramental ministry of the priests
acting in Christs name and empowered by the Holy
Spirit who brings peace and reconciliation to the
repentant sinner (CFC 1851)
Pope Francis spoke to participants of a Course
on the Internal Forum, which deals with the
Sacrament
of
Reconciliation
and the
ministry of Confessors. (2014-03-28)
Pope Francis spoke about how it helps the Church and
Confessors to better carry out the ministry of mercy,
which is so important. He reminded priests that the
Holy Spirit is the protagonist of the ministry of
reconciliation, calling on them to always be men of
the Holy Spirit. As such, priests must welcome
penitents not with the attitude of a judge, but with the
charity of God, with the love a father who sees the son
returning, the shepherd who has found the lost sheep.
For this reason, the Pope said, that priests are called to
be generous in making themselves available for
Confession. We must never forget, he said, that the
faithful often have difficulty approaching the Sacrament
of Confession. And so, priests must work hard to
encourage people to draw near to the Sacrament of
mercy and forgiveness. Adding, confession is not
a court of condemnation, but an experience of

mercy and forgiveness!

During his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis
encouraged the pilgrims filling St. Peter's Square
to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. (Feb
19, 2014)
"Everyone say to himself: When was the last time I went
to confession? And if it has been a long time, dont lose
another day! Go, the priest will be good. And Jesus, (will
be) there, and Jesus is better than the priests Jesus
receives you. He will receive you with so much love! Be
courageous, and go to confession, urged the Pope.
Pope Francis noted, someone can say, I confess my
sins only to God. Yes, you can say to God, forgive me,
and say your sins. But our sins are also against our
brothers, against the Church. This is why it is
necessary to ask forgiveness of the Church and of our
brothers, in the person of the priest.
The celebration of the sacrament is personal and it is
rooted in the universality of the Church," which
"accompanies us on the path of conversion," he
explained. Forgiveness is not something we can give
ourselves, cautioned the Pope. One asks forgiveness,
one asks it of another person, and in confession, we ask
forgiveness from Jesus.
Forgiveness a gift of the Holy Spirit who showers us
with mercy and grace that pours forth unceasingly from
the open heart of Christ crucified and risen. The Pontiff
went on saying that even embarrassment is good. Its
healthy to have a bit of shame... it does us good,
because it makes us more humble.
Dont be afraid of confession, Pope Francis
stressed. When someone is in line for confession he
feels all these things - even shame - but then, when he
finishes confessing, he leaves (feeling) free, great,
beautiful, forgiven, clean, happy. The sacrament of
reconciliation is a sacrament of healing, he pointed
out. When I go to confession, its for healing: healing
the soul, healing the heart because of something that I
did to make it unwell.
The Pope pointed to the biblical story of Jesus healing a

paralyzed man, which expresses the profound link

between forgiveness and healing, since the Lord Jesus
is revealed at the same time as the physician of soul and
body. He also recounted the parable of the prodigal son,
who sought his fathers forgiveness and was welcomed
home with open arms. But I say to you, he stressed to
the many pilgrims, every time we go to confession,
God embraces us.
What are the essential factors for the forgiveness of
sins? Three factors are essential
true sorrow for ones sins with a firm resolution to
change ones sinful ways,
confessions of sins to a priest and priestly
absolution; and
reconciliation (restored fellowship) with the members
of the community. (CFC 1857)
What should be done?
Accept that we are sinners
Confess our sins (approach the sacrament of
reconciliation)
Be sorry for our sins and do penance
Amend our life, by striving hard to resist temptation
for us and not to sin again
Pray, pray and pray harder

Seal of Confession
When a person unburdens his soul and confesses his
sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Penance, a very
sacred trust is formed. The priest must maintain
absolute secrecy about anything that a person
confesses. For this reason, confessionals were
developed with screens to protect the anonymity of
the penitent. This secrecy is called "the sacramental

seal," "the seal of the confessional," or "the seal of

confession."
The sacramental seal is inviolable (unbreakable).
Quoting Canon 983.1 of the Code of Canon Law, the
Catechism states, "...It is a crime for a confessor in any
way to betray a penitent by word or in any other
manner or for any reason" (No. 2490). A priest,
therefore, cannot break the seal to save his own life, to
protect his good name, to refute a false accusation, to
save the life of another, to aid the course of justice
(like reporting a crime), or to avert a public calamity.
He cannot be compelled by law to disclose a person's
confession or be bound by any oath he takes, e.g. as a
witness in a court trial. A priest cannot reveal the
contents of a confession either directly, by repeating
the substance of what has been said, or indirectly, by
some sign, suggestion, or action. A Decree from the
Holy Office (Nov. 18, 1682) mandated that confessors
are forbidden, even where there would be no
revelation direct or indirect, to make any use of the
knowledge obtained in the confession that would
"displease" the penitent or reveal his identity.
Each priest realizes that he is the ordained mediator
of a very sacred and precious sacrament. He
knows that in the confessional, the penitent speaks not
so much to him, but through him to the Lord.
Therefore, humbled by his position, the priest knows
that whatever is said in confession must remain
secret at all costs.
Clearly, the Church regards the seal of confession as
sacred. Every person whether priest or laity
must take the obligation to preserve the secrecy of
confession absolutely seriously.

Remain in me
Home and Family. Forgiveness is learned in the
family. All of us are weak; all of us make mistakes. In
the family, we must learn to ask for forgiveness from
those we have hurt and to forgive those who have hurt
us; we must be peacemakers. Every time we fall, we
must strive to rise up again and be reconciled with
God and with one another. We help our family
members to do the same.
We must help each other to avoid sin, to realize our
shortcomings, to be reconciled with others and to
approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Is there someone in your family whom you need to be
reconciled with? Go and be reconciled with that family
member soonest. And celebrate the homecoming!
Make a list of resolutions/actions to strengthen your
family bond.
Community Life. A sure thing that destroys
community life is gossiping. The old guru says: Gossip
is like feathers blown by the wind. It scatters very
easily but is not easy to gather up.
Is there someone in your community whom you need
to be reconciled with? Write that person a note: I
didnt mean to hurt you. Can we start all over again?
and be reconciled with him/her
soonest.
And
celebrate the homecoming!

Parish/Church LifePlan activities to make other

people understand and value the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. Participate in (or suggest or help
organize) the regular Penitential Service in your Parish.
A Life-Witness.

St. Maria Goretti was born to a poor

Italian tenant-worker in Corinaldi, Italy in 1890. She had a
difficult childhood; she worked hard to help her family meet
both ends; she never learned to read nor write as she was
unable to attend school.
Alessandro, a nineteen-year old neighbour, began to make
advances on her when she was eleven years old. She never
told her parents about this for fear of the harm that they
would inflict on the young man. Several months later, he
demanded that she submits to him physically, but she
refused. He seized her and as she struggled, Maria insisted,
No. God does not wish this. This is a sin. You would go to
hell for this. Alessandro struck her with a long knife
fourteen times. Maria chose to die rather than to sin.
Before she died, she forgave Alessandro and prayed that
they would be in heaven together some day. While in prison,
Alessandro repented. Both Marias mother and Alessandro
were present when Maria Goretti was declared a saint in
1950. She is the patroness of teenage girls, a martyr for
purity.

God is forgiving but forgiveness is not automatic. It

is expressed on the sorry gesture of a person. In the
story, the forgiving heart of St. Maria Goretti is
expressed that would likened the forgiving heart of God.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation do not teach that
forgiveness is automatically given. One must approach
the sacrament, one must be repentant, one must be
sorry before he is given an absolution over his sins. This
gesture / act is clearly stated in the Act of Contrition,
where we say, I am heartily sorry, Maraddam ma
ngamit ta unag ku. Just like the repentant thief, Dimas,

in the story of Calvary and the Prodigal Son, as the

father in his goodness waited for the sons return. The
initial action came from the son.

Reflection Points
How do I show that I am really sorry for my sins?
How do I show that I am sincerely asking
forgiveness for the wrong that I have done?
Do I see my sins in the light of Christs Divine
Mercy,
i.e., I am a sinner and is in need of Gods
mercy)?
Do I have a peaceful conscience? If not, what
has/have to be reconciled?

Follow- up Activities:
Make a brief Examination of Conscience.
(You may use the guide at the end of the
module.) Write your reflections on the table
below.
Sins Committed

Resolutions

will also forgive you. But if you do not

forgive others, then your Father will not
forgive the wrongs you have done. (Mt.
6:14-15)
Do not judge others and God will not
judge you; do not condemn others and
God will not condemn you; forgive others
and God will forgive you. (Lk. 6: 37)

Prayer Song
The Prodigal Son
1. Father, I have sinned; help me find my way.
Remember not my sins,
Just let me hear you say.
Ref.

I forgive you, I love you.

You are mine, take my hand.
Go in peace, sin no more, beloved one.

2. Father I have turned my back and walked away,

Depended on my strength
And lived life my own way. (Ref)
3. Father Ive returned. Im home with you to stay;
Standing by your door,
Knowing that youll say. (Ref)

Reflect on the passages below. You may

write or share with your group mates your
personal reflections.
If you forgive others the wrong they
have done to you, your Father in heaven

BRIEF EXAMINATION OFCONSCIENCE

(This is to help examine oneself on the evil done or
good omitted towards God, ones neighbour and oneself.)

You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart.
Who is God for me? Does He have the most
important place in my life?
Do I recognize His presence in the persons, in
creation and in events around me?
Do I listen to the words of the Gospel?
What place has prayer in my life?
Is the Eucharist at the centre of my Christian
life?

Do I allow the Lord to be Lord or do I try to be

the Lord myself?
Love your neighbour
Do I seek the wellbeing of others?
Am I selfish? Am I proud? Am I jealous? Do I
dislike or hate someone?
Am I bitter or resentful in relationships?
Do I love and treat my family with love and
care?
Do I love and respect enough the members of
my family?
Do I think enough of those who are unfortunate?
Do I just watch people with their problems, or
do I help?
Do I share what I have with others?
Do I look down on those of another

religion/race/ opinion?
Am I respectful of other peoples property?
Have I abused someones property or stolen or
coveted anothers goods?
Do I judge my neighbours? Do I tell lies/bear
false witness?
Do I sin against purity in mind or action?
Do I forgive those who hurt me? Do I ask
forgiveness from those whom I have hurt?

Love yourself.
Do I appreciate the gift of life God has given
me?
Do I use the gift of time well?
Am I able to forgive myself?
What are the priorities in my life?
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having
offended Thee and I detest all my sins because I
dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell
but most of all because I have offended Thee my
God who are all good and deserving of my love.
I firmly resolve to confess my sins, to do
penance and to amend my life. Amen.