The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is a sacrament of God’s loving forgiveness by which we are set free from sin, from its eternal punishment, and from at least some of its temporal punishment. This sacrament also helps us grow in God’s grace. It strengthen us to avoid sin and to lead holier lives, and reconciles us with the Church which we have wounded by our sins.

Reconciliation (Confession) is on Saturdays

from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm or call 510-799-4406 for appointment.

Children First Reconciliation (2nd grade and up)

Students must be enrolled in a Faith Formation Program or in a Catholic School at least 1 year prior to receiving their sacraments of First Reconciliation. Usually children in First Grade start preparing to receive the sacrament and in Second Grade they celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation for first time. This is an experience that children will remember as a very beautiful rewarding experience in their lives.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation classes provide children with a positive experience of understanding right from wrong, conscience formation and encountering the healing mercy and forgiveness of God. A copy of the student’s baptismal certificate is required for all those who are preparing to celebrate First Reconciliation. For more information, please call 510-799-4406 or email parishoffice@stpatrickrodeo.org

Article 4 The Holy See

THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

1422 “Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” 4

4 LG 11 # 2. https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P46.HTM

IN BRIEF

1485 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,” Jesus showed himself to his apostles. “He breathed on them, and said to them: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”‘

1486 The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation.

1487 The sinner wounds God’s honor and love, his own human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone.

1488 To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin and nothing has worse consequences for sinners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world.

1489 To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.

1490 The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance, entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future. Conversion touches the past and the future and is nourished by hope in God’s mercy.

1491 The sacrament of Penance is a whole consisting in three actions of the penitent and the priest’s absolution. the penitent’s acts are repentance, confession or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and do works of reparation.

1492 Repentance (also called contrition) must be inspired by motives that arise from faith. If repentance arises from love of charity for God, it is called “perfect” contrition; if it is founded on other motives, it is called “imperfect.”

1493 One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. the confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.

1494 The confessor proposes the performance of certain acts of “satisfaction” or “penance” to be performed by the penitent in order to repair the harm caused by sin and to re-establish habits befitting a disciple of Christ.

1495 Only priests who have received the faculty of absolving from the authority of the Church can forgive sins in the name of Christ.

1496 The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are:

• reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace;
• reconciliation with the Church;
• remission of the 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;
• an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

1497 Individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church.

1498 Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory.

 {Catechism of the Catholic Church} https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html