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Who is Jesus? What does His life, death and resurrection mean for me? Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6
Can God really change my life? No matter who you are or how you’ve lived your life, God will receive you into His family. He will change you and make you complete. Trust Him as millions of others have done and experience His mercy for yourself.
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
— Jeremiah 32:27
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” — Revelation 3:20
“The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, … and you will be changed into a different person.” — 1 Samuel 10:6
What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?!
Jesus gave the Church the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Penance or Confession, to allow us to have an intimate conversation with our God through the priest. We confess our sins to a priest, who is the minister of the sacrament, because he stands “in Persona Christi,” meaning that he is in the person of Christ.
It is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation that the stains of even our grave, mortal sins are actually removed from our souls and we are given new life. While we may talk to God in prayer to ask for forgiveness for our venial sins, our sins are not removed until after our renewal through Sacramental Grace.
Then through our Act of Contrition, in which we promise to do our best to never sin again, the prayer of absolution, and enacting the penance, our sins are forgiven. John 20:23 says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven . . . ”
Check out the Youcat, number 228 to find out more.
It is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation that the stains of even our grave, mortal sins are actually removed from our souls and we are given new life. While we may talk to God in prayer to ask for forgiveness for our venial sins, our sins are not removed until after our renewal through Sacramental Grace.
Then through our Act of Contrition, in which we promise to do our best to never sin again, the prayer of absolution, and enacting the penance, our sins are forgiven. John 20:23 says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven . . . ”
Check out the Youcat, number 228 to find out more.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is going to be available throughout today. Grab a slip from a member of the team if you want to go!
Guide to confession
Preparing for Confession
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to help enlighten your conscience so you may know your sins, be sorry for them, and tell them honestly and sincerely.
• With the Holy Spirit’s help, identify your sins (what sins and how often).
• Pray for courage to make a good confession, and prepare to receive the great gift of forgiveness. Remember, Jesus wants what is best for you. He is waiting to forgive you, and welcome you back.
Making Your Confession
When you arrive at confession, the priest will greet you and both of you will make the Sign of the Cross. You may begin by saying: “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It has been (state length of time) since my last confession. These are my sins.” Then tell your sins, especially any serious sins. The priest will give the necessary advice and assign penance. Then, you pray the Act of Contrition (see below). It is okay to take the prayer on a piece of paper in with you. You may also say your own Act of Contrition, as long as your prayer mentions that you are sincerely sorry, and that you will try not to commit these sins again. Then the priest will give you absolution (forgiveness). Do your penance as soon as possible.
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.
Examination of Conscience
The examination of conscience generally takes place before going to individual confession, but can be used at any time to review one’s past. The purpose is to call to mind our sins in an orderly fashion (using the Ten Commandments), to best prepare to receive God’s forgiveness.