What Happens in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation?

Define the word Reconciliation
1. To re-establish a close relationship.
2. To settle or resolve
3. To restore to friendship or harmony

Four things must happen when we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation;
1. We must truly feel sorry for our sins
2. we must confess our sins to a priest
3.we must be willing to make amends from harm made when we sinned
4. we must receive absolution and forgiveness from the priest.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation includes the following steps;
1. Examination of Conscience
2. Confession of sins
3. Receive Penance
4. Pray the Act of Contrition
5. Receive Absolution

Examination of Conscience

• Before you go to confession, you should take time to think about ways you have hurt your relationship with God. Have you sinned?
• Think about the Ten Commandments and ask yourself if you have broken any of these.

What happens during confession?
1. Enter the confessional and kneel or sit
2. Bless yourself with the sign of the cross and say "Bless me, Father for I have sinned." State how long has it been since your last confession.
3. The priest may read a passage from Bible
4. The priest will ask you to confess your sins.
5. The priest will give you your penance (usually prayers or actions you must do).
6. The priest will invite you to pray the Act of contrition.
7. The priest says a prayer, and in the name of Jesus, absolves your sins.
8. Thank the priest and leave the confessional.
9. Do your penance as soon as you can.