The peace of mind and soul, which the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession) imparts to one, is that for which there is no substitute. It is a peace that flows from a certainty, rather than from an unsure hope, that our sins have been forgiven and that one is right with God.

..."Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." When He had said this, He breathed upon them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."

(John 20:21-23)

Reconciliation at Holy Family Parish
Confessions are held on Saturdays: 3 to 3:30pm in the main church.

Also a confession can be made by appointment and during Advent and Lent on weeknights through The Light is On scheduling (see Parish Calendar during these seasons for details and times).

Children at Holy Family are prepared for the reception of Reconciliation in the second grade. This Sacrament for them  takes place prior to First Communion (see Religious Education). It is expected that the child will understand the following:
  • Sin, i.e. the difference between good and evil.
  • God is merciful and loving; and that His gift of faith is a call to conversion from sin.
  • Everyone needs this sacrament, for pardon and peace, and to celebrate one's unity with the healing, merciful Christ and His Church.

Students in other grades are also offered Penance during services throughout the year.

Before Confession:
  • Be truly sorry for your sins. The essential act of Reconciliation, on the part of the penitent, is contrition, a clear and decisive rejection of the sin committed, together with a resolution not to commit it again out of the love one has for God, and which is reborn with repentance. The resolution to avoid committing these sins in the future (amendment) is a sure sign that one's sorrow is genuine and authentic. This does not mean that a promise never to fall again into sin is necessary. A resolution to try to avoid the near occasions of sin suffices for true repentance. God's grace in cooperation with the intention to rectify one's life will give one the strength to resist and overcome temptation in the future.
  • Make a review (Examination of Conscience) of sin(s) since one's last sacramental confession, and  then inwardly express sorrow for sin, hatred for sin and a firm resolution not to sin again.

During Confession:
  • After examining one's conscience and telling God of one's sorrow, go to confession.
  • Begin confession with the sign of the cross, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. My last confession was ____ weeks (months, years) ago."
  • The priest may read a passage from holy Scripture.
  • Say the sin(s)  remembered. Start with the one(s) that is most difficult to say. After confessing all the sins one remembers since one's last good confession, conclude by saying, "I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life."
  • Listen to the words of the priest. He will assign some penance. invited, express some prayer of sorrow such as an Act of Contrition.

At the End of Confession
  • Listen to the words of absolution, i.e. the sacramental forgiveness of the Church through the ordained priest. As you listen to the words of forgiveness, make the sign of the cross with the priest. If he closes by saying, "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good," answer, "For His mercy endures forever."

After Confession
  • Give thanks to God for His forgiveness again. If one recalls some serious sin one forgot to tell, rest assured that it has been forgiven with the others, but should be remembered at one's next confession.
  • Do the assigned penance.
  • Resolve to return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation often.

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Acts 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 Saviour Jesus suffered and died for us. In His Name, my God, have mercy.
Amen.

O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended You. I know I should love You above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin.
Amen.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishment. But most of all because I have offended You, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.
Amen.

O my God, I am sorry for all my sins, and I will try with Your help to never sin again. I love You.
Amen.




 


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Video: courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Monsignor   John Zenz, Archdiocese of Detroit: speaker.