STEPS IN RECEVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

1. EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

We ask the Holy Spirit to help us think about how well we are doing Gods loving will. We have to recall our sins including the time we committed them.
The following are some helps for recalling our sins: Go over the Ten Commandments. Go over your senses. For example: ears what bad stories you enjoyed listening to.

2. CONTRITION

We tell God that we are sorry for our sins. We promise to avoid sin and to make up to others for hurting them. Being truly for our sins, leads us to conversion, to turn back to God the Father. What does it take to be perfectly sorry? Humility to accept our faults Hope to be forgiven Honesty that we intend to avoid sins in the future

3. CONFESSION

We confess our sins to God by telling them to the priest in private. We make sure that we confess all our sins. He will never tell anyone of our sins. He also advises us how to live each day as Jesus wants us.

4. PENANCE

A prayer or a good deed that helps make up for the hurt caused by our sins. We do the penance to show that we are sorry and we want to change.

5. ABSOLUTION

Our sins are absolved and forgiven. In the name of Christ and the Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a priest grants the forgiveness of our sins. This forgiveness reconciles us to the Church and to God.

WHY DO WE CONFESS TO A PRIEST? WHY NOT CONFESS DIRECTLY TO GOD?

This confess-to-God directly attitude springs from a poor understanding of sin and the sacrament of Reconciliation.

This attitude, first of all, does not recognize that sin offends not just God but other people as well. Like a small would that affects the whole body, sin affects the whole Body of Christ, the Church.

Secondly, this attitude does not recognize the role of the priest as the representative of both Christ and the Church. Since our sins offend both God and our neighbors, we have to ask for the forgiveness of both, too.

Thirdly, confessing to God directly is simply praying an act of contrition. It is not a sacrament. It is not what Christ wanted and instituted. (read John 20:21-23) Jesus gave the apostles and their successors the bishops and priests of today, the power to forgive sins.

We Respond
What can I do to make up for the wrong things I have done?

BIG QUESTIONS
Why do we need to confess our

sins? What is the importance of doing the penance? Why do we need to follow the steps in confessing our sins?

Act 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. Amen.

Sources
Llarenas, Milagros. CLE 5

Workbook. Xavier School.