The Sacraments of Healing Sacrament of Penance and
Reconciliation Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick Those who are
well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to
call the righteous but sinners. (Mark 2:17) The Lord Jesus Christ
has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy
Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own
members. (CCC, 1421)
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Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Instituted by Christ
Celebration has changed, but kept basic structure Action of the
priest who acts in the name of Christ Action of the penitent
Contrition Confession Satisfaction/Penance
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Names of the Sacrament Sacrament of Conversion Sacrament of
Penance Sacrament of Confession Sacrament of Forgiveness Sacrament
of Reconciliation
Slide 6
Minister of the Sacrament Priest Sacrament of Holy Orders
Confessor Successors of the Apostles Jesus gave the Apostles the
power to forgive sins Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me,
so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and
said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are
forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. (John
20:21-23)
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Minister of the Sacrament In persona Christi in the person of
Christ He is meant to nourish and feed his flock and be a physician
in this case through whom the Divine Physician can work.
(DAmbrosio, 2005) Instrument of God Sacramental Seal
Slide 8
Acts of the Penitent Contrition Confession of Sins
Satisfaction/Penance
Slide 9
Contrition To be sorry for ones sins A decision to avoid a
sinful act (DAmbrosio, 2005) A resolution not to commit it again
(Reconciliation and Penance, 31, 3) Perfect or Imperfect
Contrition
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Contrition Perfect Contrition To be truly sorry for ones sins
because of the break in relationship with God Imperfect Contrition
To be sorry for ones sins because of the punishment or consequences
one may incur Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32 Both motivations are good
but must strive for perfect contrition.
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Confession of Sins Sin must be acknowledged and repented of in
order to be forgiven and for conversion to happen Mortal/serious
sins must be confessed Allows the confessor to be acquainted with
the penitent
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Confession of Sins Withholding a mortal sin makes the Sacrament
invalid If the penitent has not intention of stopping sinful
behavior makes the Sacrament invalid Venial sins should be
confessed, but not necessary Regular confession of our venial sins
helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let
ourselves be healed by Christ, and progress in the life of the
Spirit. (CCC, 1458)
Slide 13
Satisfaction/Penance Absolution forgives sin, but it does not
remedy all the disorders sin has caused. (CCC, 1459) Penance:
prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary
self-denial, sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of
the cross we must bear (CCC, 1460) Outward signs that demonstrate
inward conversion (DAmbrosio) They are the sign of the personal
commitment that the Christian has made to God, in the Sacrament, to
begin a new life. (Reconciliation and Penance, 31, 3)
Slide 14
After Baptism All sins are forgiven, original sin and all
personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin. (CCC, 1263.)
Consequences of original sin still remain Certain temporal
consequences of sin remain, such as suffering, illness, death, and
such frailties inherent in life as weaknesses of character, and so
on, as well as an inclination to sin (CCC, 1264.)
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What is Sin? An offense against reason, truth, and right
conscience. (CCC, 1849.) A moral lapse, a free choice of the will.
(Kreeft, Catholic Christianity: Penance, 1.) Disobedience to God,
to his law, to the moral norm that he has given man, in inscribing
it in his heart and confirming and perfecting it through
revelation. (Reconciliation and Penance, 14.)
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What is Sin? Harms sinner and entire Church As their virtuous
actions contribute to the up building of the body of Christ, so sin
contributes to its wounding. (God, the Father of Mercy, 67) If one
part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored,
all the parts share its joy. (1 Cor. 12:26)
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Repentance and Conversion Not a one-time change of mind and
heart, but an ongoing process Turning away from evil toward God
through penance Marked by original sin
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Repentance and Conversion Inner act of sorrow and conversion An
outward manifestation of what we believe interiorly. (DAmbrosio)
The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.
(Mk 1:15) Is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our
hearts return to him. (CCC, 1432) This initiative on Gods part is
made concrete and manifest in the redemptive act of Christ, which
radiates through the world by means of the ministry of the Church.
(Reconciliation and Penance, 10)
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Repentance and Conversion Those who have committed serious sin
receive the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year. (CIC, c.
989) Deprives the soul of grace and in case of death would consign
the sinner to damnation and renders it illicit and invalid for the
believer to receive Christ in the Eucharist and impossible to
participate fully in the life of the Church. (God, the Father of
Mercy, 68)
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Effects of the Sacrament Reconciliation with God and His Church
The penitent is made stronger by the exchange of spiritual goods
among all the living members of the Body of Christ. (CCC, 1469)
Hope of Eternal Life Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my
word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will
not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. (John
5:24)
Slide 21
Effects of the Sacrament Chooses life over death through the
Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance within ones process of
conversion. Remission of eternal punishment incurred by mortal
sins; remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments
resulting from sin; peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual
consolation; and an increase of spiritual strength for the
Christian battle. (CCC, 1496)
Slide 22
Examination of Conscience Awareness of ones own sin With the
interior moral law, with the evangelical norms proposed by the
Church, with Jesus Christ himself who is our Teacher and Model of
life, and with the heavenly Father, who calls us to goodness and
perfection. (Reconciliation and Penance, 53) The Ten Commandments,
the moral catechesis of the Gospels and the apostolic Letters, such
as the Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic teachings. (CCC,
1454)
Slide 23
General Absolution Communal celebration of the Sacrament
Exception to the Norms Can only occur when the danger of death is
imminent or a grave necessity exists and confessors are not able to
hear individual confessions. (CCC, 1483; Misericordia Dei, 4; CIC,
c. 961, 1.) Individual, integral confession and absolution remain
the only ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with
God and the Church, unless physical or moral impossibility excuses
from this kind of confession. (CCC, 1484)
Slide 24
Final Thoughts The priest in the confessional is a more
formidable foe to the devil than an exorcist. (Kreeft, 2)
Reconciliation is a gift of God, an initiative on His part.
(Reconciliation and Penance, 7) Responsibility for sins and
acknowledge that one is a sinner The greater the sense of sin in a
Christian, the greater that persons gratitude for forgiveness.
(God, the Father of Mercy, 68)
Slide 25
Final Thoughts Everyone needs to hear and know that they are
forgiven. (Kreeft, 9) Increase of true joy and a deeper love for
God Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is
guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself
again to God and to the communion of the Church in order to make a
new future possible. (CCC, 1455)
