Reconciliation is the celebration of God’s unconditional love and desire to take us back no matter how long or how far off we have wandered: God always takes the initiative in our relationship and this is especially true with reconciliation.

“That man prefers something – the world, himself – to God, this is the only real sin, and in it all sins become natural, inevitable. This sin destroys the true life of man. It deviates life’s course from its only meaning and direction. And in Christ this sin is forgiven, not in the sense that God has ‘forgotten’ it and pays no attention to it, but because he has loved him and found in him the only true object of love and life. And God has accepted man and – in Christ – reconciled him with himself. Repentance is thus the return of our love, of our life, to God, and this return is possible in Christ because he reveals to us the true Life and makes us aware of our exile and condemnation. To believe in Christ is to repent – to change radically the very ‘mind’ of our life, to see it as sin and death. And to believe in him is to accept the joyful revelation that in him forgiveness and reconciliation have been given.”

Fr. Alexander Schmemann,
For the Life of the World

Preparation for Reconciliation

Prayer

Pray in silence for a brief period asking the Holy Spirit to help you reflect.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have called us to follow your way. But often I prefer my own way. So I displease you and wander from your truth. Help me to know your love better, to see my sins clearly, and to seek your forgiveness honestly and humbly in this Sacrament of Reconciliation. I ask this in your name. Amen.

Guides for an Examination of Conscience

Reflect on your life with the help of one of the following guides. Two key questions to keep in mind are: In what major ways have I displeased God? and Which of my actions are getting in the way of my love for God and my neighbour? Allow the Holy Spirit to show when you have acted different from the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ in thought, word or deed.

Have my actions been different from the teaching of Jesus Christ

In relation to God and my faith:

? Have I given to anyone or anything else the love, honour and worship that belongs to God alone? Do I 
   really love God above all things?
? Do I go to Mass humbly and hungering to meet the Lord in the Eucharist?
? Do I listen to God in prayer each day?
? Am I hesitant or ashamed to witness my faith in God in my daily life?
? Do I try to deepen my faith, even when my life is confusing?
? Do I ask God to help me be more faithful, hopeful and loving?
? Do I turn to God only when I am in need?

In relation to my family:

? Do I try to communicate with my parents and understand their point of view?
? Do I thank them for what they do for me?
? Do I have any main fault that disrupts the family (e.g. jealousy, laziness, rudeness, etc.)?
? Do I apologize and forgive quickly?
? Am I generous and kind with the other members of the family?

In relation to my neighbour:

? Am I kind to my friends and treat them with care?
? Do I help people in need? Do I take care of the poor, sick and defenceless?
? Have I been the cause of another’s committing sin?
? Do I respect my girlfriend/boyfriend and avoid sexual situations?
? Do I care for and respect the environment in which I live?
? Do I bear grudges or contemplate revenge?
? Am I responsible at school, at work, and in the groups to which I belong?

In relation to myself:

? Do I truly live as a Christian and give a good example to others?
? Do I really believe that I am made in the image and likeness of God and therefore am one of God’s 
   wondrous creations?
? Am I too focused on myself?
? Do I respect my body by avoiding alcohol and drugs, by eating healthy foods and by exercising?

The Ten Commandments

1. Putting God First
        I am the Lord your God; you shall not have other gods before me.
2. Respect for God
        You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Respect for the Lord’s Day
        Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Respect for Parents and Authority
        Honour your father and mother.
5. Respect for Human Life
        You shall not kill.
6. & 9. Respect for Marriage
        You shall not commit adultery.
        You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.
7. & 10. Respect for Private Property
        You shall not steal.
        You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour.
8 Respect for Truth
        You shall not bear false witness.

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Celebration of Reconciliation

At this point you should be ready to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Priest will welcome you and treat you with kindness. He may help you by asking questions and offering encouragement and advice. The following is a basic guide to how the Sacrament will proceed.

Together with the priest make the sign of the cross:
                    + In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest invites you to have trust in God:
                   May God who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in his mercy.

You respond: Amen

You then confess your sins.

The priest will propose an act of penance – an act of satisfaction for sin and for amendment of life.

You will be invited to express sorrow (act of contrition) for sin. Use these or some other words:

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.
Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

The priest gives you 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.

You respond: Amen

The priest invites you to praise God:
                    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

You respond: God’s mercy endures forever.

The priest dismisses you.
                    The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.

Penance

Do your act of penance as proposed by the priest.

Psalm