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Confession
Sacrament of Penance - Reconciliation

drawing by Helen Hull Hitchcock ©

Pope Benedict XVI
"To live life to the full in freedom we must overcome the test that this freedom entails, that is, temptation. Only if he is freed from the slavery of falsehood and sin can the human person, through the obedience of faith that opens him to the truth, find the full meaning of his life and attain peace, love, and joy."

Angelus March 5, 2006

"In order to respond to the call of God and start on our journey, it is not necessary to be already perfect. We know that the prodigal son's awareness of his own sin allowed him to set out on his return journey and thus feel the joy of reconciliation with the Father. Weaknesses and human limitations do not present an obstacle, as long as they help make us more aware of the fact that we are in need of the redeeming grace of Christ."

Message for the 43rd World Day of Prayers for Vocations
March 30, 2006

Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and I am no more worthy to be called your son.
­ Luke 15:21

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
­ Romans 3:23-25

Jesus said, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me."
­ John 14:6

In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
­ Colossians 1:14

Then Jesus said to [His apostles], "Peace be unto you; as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted, and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained".
­ John 20:12, 22-23

The Sacrament of Penance

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament, called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation." (CCC 1486)

At the beginning of the chapter on the Sacrament of Penance, the Catechism quotes Lumen Gentium [Light of the World], the Second Vatican Council's document on the Church in the world:

"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." (Lumen Gentium 11.2)

The Catechism explains, "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.

"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." (CCC 1489-90)

In 1966, Pope Paul VI issued an Apostolic Constitution on Penance, Paenitemini, a high-level document on the importance of the sacrament. "By first of all examining more thoroughly the link which binds it to Christ and His salvific action, [the Council] has underlined more clearly how all its members are called upon to participate in the work of Christ and therefore to participate also in His expiation", he wrote.

The Ritual of Confession
The Sacrament of Penance is a liturgical action instituted by the Church for the reconciliation of sinners to communion with God and with the Church. Catholics are obliged to go to confession to receive the sacrament of penance at least once a year -- usually during the Easter season (it used to be called "Easter duty") -- or whenever they are conscious of serious sin. Receiving this sacrament is encouraged at other times, as a means of restoring full unity with God and His Church, and for spiritual growth.

The sacrament consists basically of four acts of the penitent and the priest:

Contrition: First the penitent (the repentant sinner -- the root word in "penitentiary"), must be aware of his sinfulness and must be truly sorry (contrite) for his sins. Another word for repentance is "contrition". He must repent his sins, and seek the sacrament of penance -- that is, to go to confession to a priest.

Confession: The penitent confesses to a priest all the sins he can recall -- after examining his conscience -- that he has not confessed before. The confession is entirely private -- the priest-confessor never reveals anything the penitent confesses. Traditionally confession takes place in the "confessional", a small room where the priest and penitent are separated by a screen to assure complete privacy and anonymity. It is also permissible, if both the priest and penitent agree, to administer and receive the sacrament of penance "face to face" in another room in the church reserved for this purpose. The sacrament can take place elsewhere, in an emergency.

Act of Penance: The priest-confessor proposes certain actions -- penance -- for the penitent to perform. This may be saying certain prayers and/or performing some other fitting action. The person who performs this penance thus shows his sorrow for his sinful acts. This helps him to overcome his faults, and the harm his sins have caused others -- to be reconciled with them and with the Church, and to return to behavior consistent with being a disciple of Christ.

Absolution: After the penitent accepts the acts of penance, the priest, by the authority that the Church has given him (see the quote from John 20:22, 23 above), absolves the sinner; that is, he grants God's pardon for the sins.

Structure of Confession/ Absolution Rite
The normal practice for administration of the Sacrament of Penance is in private -- with only the penitent and the priest present. On occasion, as during penitential seasons, a parish may hold a "communal penance service", where the congregation may pray and reflect together with the priest before each person individually goes to confession. (Only in extreme cases of emergency, such as on a battlefield, may a priest give "general absolution" to all at the same time; and that with the stipulation that the individual penitents go to confession individually as soon as possible.)

To begin, the penitent kneels and, by custom, says: "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned", and may add, "It has been [time] since my last confession." The priest greets the penitent. Then crossing himself, the penitent says "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" and begins his confession.

The priest may help the penitent with an examination of conscience, perhaps by asking questions. During the confession, the priest may read Scripture passages and offer spiritual counsel.

After hearing the confession, the priest assigns a penance, and the penitent accepts the penance with the following prayer:

Act of Contrition (click here for Spanish Version)
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishment, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Actus contritionis (Latin)
Deus meus, ex toto corde pænitet me ómnium meórum peccatórum, éaque detéstor, quia peccándo, non solum pœnas a te iuste statútas proméritus sum, sed præsértim quia offéndi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super ómnia diligáris. Ídeo fírmiter propóno, adiuvánte grátia tua, de cétero me non peccatúrum peccandíque occasiónes próximas fugitúrum. Amen.

(See also Act of Contrition prayer card page.)

The priest then extends his hands in blessing over the penitent, and prays the prayer of absolution:

Prayer of 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.

Acto de Contrición

Señor mío, Jesucristo, Dios y Hombre verdadero, Creador, Padre y Redentor mío; por ser tú quien eres, bondad infinita, y porque te amo sobre todas las cosas, me pesa de todo corazón haberte ofendido; también me pe sa porque puedes castigarme con las penas del infierno.

Te ofrezco mis sufrimientos como expiación de mis pecados, propongo confesarme y cumplir la
penitencia que me sea impuesta; ayudado de tu gracia propongo firmamente no pecar más y evitar las ocasiones próximas de pecado. + En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo. Amén.

(See First Communion page for more information on first confession. See Fast and Abstinence page for this form of penance.)

References:
Catechism of the Catholic Church Article 4 - The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation §1420-1498
The Rites of the Catholic Church, Vol I - Rite of Penance p 517ff.

Illustration: The Prodigal Son - Helen Hull Hitchcock, pencil drawing

Press Release from

THE ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC WOMEN [England]

Feb 2nd 2004

CONFESSION - A NEW APPROACH

An initiative to encourage Catholic children to understand about the Sacrament of Reconciliation is launched this week by a leading Catholic women's group.

The Association of Catholic Women is inviting children to take part in a nationwide project: "Confession ­ why we go".

A leaflet sent to Catholic primary schools says: "The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a most beautiful Sacrament, through which our sins are forgiven. Imagine that a friend has asked you: "Why do Catholics go to confession? Please tell me about it". Write to them explaining what we believe about this Sacrament."

The Association brings together Catholic women from all walks of life, and includes many teachers, parish catechists, and people involved with preparing children and young people for First Communion and Confirmation. .

"The task of passing on the Faith belongs to all of us, and teachers in the classroom deserve our support and encouragement" said ACW chairman Mrs Josephine Robinson, herself a children's liturgist "The aim of this project is to send a positive message about the love and mercy of God, and enable children to express this in their own words, so that it becomes something they can really understand and appreciate."

In the project, children are encouraged to think and write about occasions when Christ forgave people's sins, and the power that he gave to the Apostles to continue this work. The idea is to present the message of forgiveness in a positive and encouraging way, so that children can learn "how beautiful it is that we can have our sins forgiven, so that we can grow closer to God while we are here on earth, and look forward to being happy for ever in Heaven."

The writer of the best essay will receive an engraved cup and a prize. Any school that has not received a copy of the brochure should contact ACW, 22 Surbiton Hill Rd Surbiton KT5 8ET England.

Information submitted to us by Joanna Bogle.

Related articles, documents:

Presentation of the Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II in the Form of Motu Proprio, Misericordia Dei, (The Mercy of God). Intervention by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Thursday, May 2, 2002

Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II in the Form of Motu Proprio, Misericordia Dei, On Certain Aspects of the Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance, April 7, 2002

Little Catechism on Confession  -- Diocese of Lincoln, Pentecost 2001 Voices 

On the Integrity of the Sacrament of Penance, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, March 20, 2000 -- Summer 2000 Voices

Other Sacraments: Baptism | Confirmation | Eucharist | Anointing of the Sick | Holy Orders | Matrimony

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