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Sin is anything that separates us from the love of God. Penance is the sacrament by which we receive from God the healing forgiveness for sins committed after baptism.
The Rite is called Reconciliation because it reconciles us not only with God but with the whole Church community. As members of the Body of Christ, everything we do affects the whole body.
Sin wounds and weakens the Body of Christ but the healing we receive in penance restores health and strength to
the Church, as well as to ourselves.
Reconciliation is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ represented by the priest in the confessional or reconciliation room. The penitent (sinner) admits to God that he or she has sinned, makes an act of sorrow, accepts penance (prayers, acts of self denial, works of service to others) and resolves to be better in the future.
Through the Sacramental Seal of Confession, the priest can never reveal to anyone what has been confessed to him during the Rite of Reconciliation.
Ideally we should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently and as soon as possible if we are conscious of serious sin.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:
(Confession and Penance)
Communal Celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are offered during Advent & Lent. These celebrations begin with a prayer service and end with individual confession.
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