Reconciliation session 4 Absolution

Felix Hernandez, PhD - Theology

Laudate app/CCC- Vatican II
1962
The New American Bible 1970
Bible of
Jerusalen/Latinoamerican 1952

Objectives:
Priesthood/Jesus
Who

can absolve sin?

New rite presents the sacrament in
three different ritual forms, three
different shapes:
Symbols of the sacrament

Levi

Tabernacle
Ex 25

Lev 4

Temple

Presence: the place where God dwelt among His people

(Exodus 25:8)
Revelation: it served as the place of divine revelation
(Exodus 25:22)
Mt
Act 1
Gen
Atonement:
the
place
where
sacrifices
were
offered
and
4
Gen 4
27
atonement was made (Exodus 29:38-43)

Who can absolve sin?

Why are priests the only ones who
can forgive sins?
No man can forgive sins unless he
has a commission from God to do so
and the power given by him to
ensure that the forgiveness he
promises the penitent really takes
place. The BISHOP, in the first place,
is appointed to do that and, then, his
helpers, the ordained PRIESTS. [1461-

The sacrament of reconciliation:

The revised rite of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation was given to the Church
by Pope Paul VI on December 2, 1973.
The new rite presents the sacrament in
three different ritual forms, three
different shapes:
(A)Rite for Reconciliation of Individual
Penitents,
(B)Rite for Reconciliation of Several
Penitents with Individual Confession and
Absolution,
(C)Rite for Reconciliation of Several
Penitents with General Confession and

(A)The First Rite of Reconciliation:

Rite for Reconciliation of Individual Penitents
involves

one penitent and one priestis

similar to the way most Catholics
remember "confession"; however,
provision is made for the reading of sacred
Scripture, and the penitent is given the
option of speaking to the priest face-toface or remaining anonymous. The prayer
for absolution is revised and enriched.

The individual rite of reconciliation:

The

sacramentconsists of three actions of

the penitent andthe priests absolution
proclaimed in thename of the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit.
Theacts of the penitent are
repentance,
confession

or disclosure of sins to the priest

and the intention to make reparation. (cf.CCC
1491)

(B)The Second Rite of Reconciliation:

Rite for
Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution,

(B)The

Second Rite of Reconciliation:

The second type of penance service is usually called a
Communal Penance Service Several Penitents. This
is a form of sacramental confession and mixes public
prayer and individualconfession of sins to a priest,
followed by absolution.
The elements of the rite:
The penitents sorrow for sin (usually expressed in an
Act of Contrition); confession of sins to a priest with
absolution given an act of satisfaction orpenance.

(B)The Second Rite of Reconciliation:

Rite for
Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution,

Although

it is quiet similar to the individual rite there are

some legitimate variationsin the way in which this is
celebrated. Sacramental celebrations are communal because
sacramental theology is horizontal ( DeGidio , n.d .).
Sacraments happen in people who are in relationship with
each other and with God. In the area of sin, forgiveness and
reconciliation this is particularly evident.
Our sinfulness disrupts our relationship in communication as
well as our relationship with God, and since the sacrament
begins with our sinfulness, which affects others, it is only
proper that it culminate with a communal expression of love
and forgiveness that embodies the love and forgiveness of
God ( DeGidio , n.d .)

(B)The Second Rite of Reconciliation:

Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual
Confession and Absolution,
Usually,

a communal penance service includes a Scripture reading and brief

exhortationby the priest.
The reading is followed by an examination of conscience, and then the
entirecommunity prays the Act of Contrition together.
Sometimes, a single, general penance isassigned to everyone participating;
at other times the assignment of a penance is doneduring the individual
confession.
After the communal part of the ceremony, those present individually confess
their sins tothe priest and receive absolution (and a penance if it has not
been assigned in the communal setting).
The Act of Contrition is not repeated privately, because it has beenpart of
the communal section of the service. However, the words of absolution are
said bythe priest individually over the penitent.
A person who participates in only the communalparts of the service has not
been to confession.

(C)The Third Rite of Reconciliation:

Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents with General Confession
and Absolution,

It

is only used in extenuating circumstances

such as cases involving danger of death or
in places where confessions would be
overheard.
The third rite of reconciliation is similar to
the preceding form except that the penitent
need not mention each serious sin
individually and the prayer of absolution is
given collectively or "generally" toall those
gathered to celebrate the sacrament
(general absolution).

(C)The Third Rite of Reconciliation:

Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents with General Confession
and Absolution,

The

common absolution does not

relieve the penitent of the obligation
to observe the precept of the Church
that requires individual confession to
a priest of all grave sins at least once
a year.

Non-Sacramental Penitential Service

Another

type of penitential service is

non-sacramental by its nature. This is
a liturgy with a penitential theme, a
prayer service in which we
acknowledge that we are sinners
and pray for forgiveness and
renewal. Such a service does not
involve sacramental confession, and
therefore there is no absolution or
the remission of sins.

The symbols of the sacrament:

The

priest extends his hands overthe

person receiving the sacrament to
symbolize Gods healing and
forgiveness.
The priest symbolizes the Church, the
bodyof Christ with whom the penitent is
beingreunited; and though a sinner
himself, the priest also serves as a
symbol of Christ whobestows the gifts of
the sacrament.

The symbols of the sacrament:

1)

Gathering:
We enter the reconciliation chapel and we exchange a
greeting with the priest. Wecan sit face-to-face with the priest
or remain anonymous behind a screen.When you tell your sins
to the priest and express yourdesire to repent, the priest sees
you at your best.
The priest sees you, not in yoursinning, but in your
repentance. After saying hello we move to prayer.Even though
there are only two peoplepresent, we are about to celebrate a
sacrament of the Church, an act of worship. We begin "In the
name of the Father, and of theSon, and of the Holy Spirit." The
priest will say a prayer and may invite us to pray.

The symbols of the sacrament:

2)

Story telling - The liturgy of the Word:

While in this atmosphere of prayer, we turn to Scripture and
hear again of God's faithful love. While the reading of
Scripture isoptional from a legal viewpoint, the rite
recommends it, because it is very importantfor the meaning
of the sacrament.
Ideally the priest will invite you to read a passage from
theBible (or he himself will read a passage). Every
sacramental action is a response tothe Word of God.
Following the reading from Scripture (or the opening prayer, if
the Scripture isomitted) the priest invites you to say whatever
is in your heart: sins, fears, joys,questions, doubts.
The priest responds by applying the sacred Scripture to
thesituation of the penitent and suggests a penance
something that you might do ora prayer you might say to
show or express your conversion.

The symbols of the sacrament:

3)

Reconciling:
After the exchange with the priest, you turn once again
to prayer. You will tell God that you are sorry for your
sinsthis may be a prayer thatyou know by heart or
you may pray in your own words.
Or you may find the OurFather an appropriate act of
contrition.
The priest then prays the prayer ofabsolution. If you
are not separated by a screen, he may place his hands
on yourhead in the biblical gesture of healing and
invocation.

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.

The symbols of the sacrament:

4)

Commissioning:
The individual rite closes very simply. The
priest says: "The Lord has freed youfrom
your sins. Go in peace," or: "Go in peace
and God bless you" or some similarwords
of dismissal.
You respond: "Amen," or "Thank you,
Father."

Absolution:
After

the penitent accepts the

penance, the priest, representing
thecommunity of the Church and
acting in the person of Christ
absolves the sinner; that is,
hegrants God's forgiveness and
restores the relationship between the
penitent and Godsfamily. Thus, the
sacrament of penance is completed.

Objectives:
Priesthood/Jesus
Who

can absolve sin?

New rite presents the sacrament in
three different ritual forms, three
different shapes:
Symbols of the sacrament