The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Pope Paul VI published the “new rite” for the Sacrament of Penance in 1974, calling it the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to bring a new understanding of this great gift from God. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a call for a change of heart; it is a symbol of life, dying to sin and rising to new life. During our pilgrimage we shall have the opportunity to attend a Reconciliation Service and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where we humbly acknowledge that we are sinners and desire to change our ways to God’s way of love. We acknowledge our faults, our failings, and our sinfulness; say sorry, make amends and seek God’s forgiveness.

It is a Sacrament of healing and forgiveness; it brings joy and hope to our lives. Through it we become reconciled to God, with others and ourselves. The new rite encourages the penitent to treasure a moment that should be one of the most beautiful moments of his or her life. The heavens rejoice over the sinner who repents and is reconciled to God (Lk 15: 7). We too should rejoice!

If you are uncertain of what to do and what to say, don’t worry. Guidance may be given during the service but if not, simply approach the priest for private confession with an open heart and ask him to help you make your confession and celebrate the Sacrament.

There is also the Chapel of Reconciliation in the building known as Accueil Jean-Paul II, close to the statue of the crowned Virgin, where Confessions are heard daily from 10.00 – 11.15 am and from 2.30 – 6.00 pm. Any of the priests on our pilgrimage would be happy to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with you by arrangement.

Reflection To prepare to celebrate the Sacrament we think about the ways in which we have failed to embrace God’s love for us, we consider the ways we have hurt others and diminished our own dignity through our lack of love. It is all too easy for our examination of conscience and our confession to become “shopping lists” without reflecting deeply on why we sin. We should try to recognise our weaknesses and pray that through the celebration of this joyful Sacrament we will be able to put things right.

A short Act of Contrition O my God, because you are so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you, and with the help of your grace I will try not to sin again.

THE WORDS OFABSOLUTION The priest extends his hands over the penitent’s head and uses the following or similar words in absolution:

God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Prayer attributed to an Eastern Mystic I was a revolutionary when I was young and all my prayer to God was: “Lord, give me the energy to change the world.”

As I approached middle age and realised that half my life had gone without me changing even one person, I changed my prayer to: “Lord, help me change those who are close to me, just my family and friends, and I’ll be happy.”

Now I’m an old man and my one and only prayer is this: “Lord, give me the grace to change myself.”

If I’d prayed this from the very start, I should not have wasted my life.