The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Definition: The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the sacrament which affects the

forgiveness of sins (actual sins i.e. mortal and venial sins) committed after baptism.
It is particularly intended for mortal sins since, technically, it is mortal sin that cuts
a person from grace and from the Church, hence the need for reconciliation.
However, the Church encourages the faithful to bring venial sins to confession as
well as in order to receive an increase in sanctifying grace, as well as the grace to
avoid future occasions of sin.

Biblical Basis: John 20:21-23

(Jesus) said them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send
you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive
the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you
retain are retained.”

The Bible tells us that there is a divinely instituted manner by which sins are to be
forgiven – NOT through direct confession to God but by invoking the power given to
the apostles to declare absolution (forgiveness) in the Name of God. This power, the
apostle handed over through generations by the Sacrament of Holy Orders (laying
on of the hands).

The Five Acts of Penitent

1. Examination of Conscience – A thorough recall of the sins committed since
the last good confession.
2. Contrition – An interior, universal, supreme, and supernatural sorrow
for the sins committed. Imperfect contrition is motivated by fear of God’s
punishment, whole perfect contrition is motivated by love of God. While
imperfect contrition is sufficient, perfect contrition restores grace
immediately, even before confession.
3. Establishing a firm Purpose of Amendment – A firm resolution not to fail
into the same sins again.
4. Confession – The act of telling one’s sins to the person authorized by God
and the Church, i.e., a priest with the faculty to grant absolution. A good
confession is humble, sincere, and entire. To willfully omit a known sin in
confession renders the confession sacrilegious. The priest, on his part, is
bound by the seal of confession – a solemn obligation, under pain of
excommunication, never to reveal anyone whatever a penitent discloses in
confession.
5. Penance – Refers to the prayers and other pious actions prescribed by the
priest to the penitent as a way of reparation for the sins confessed.
Essential Elements of the Sacrament
Mater: Contrition, Confession and Satisfaction (Penance) of the Penitent
Form: The words of absolution: “God the Father of mercies, through death and
resurrection of his Son has reconciled the word to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit
among us for forgiveness of sins; through the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.”
Minister: Priest who has been accorded the right to administer this sacrament

The spiritual effects of this sacrament are:

• Reconciliation with God which the penitent recovers grace;
• Reconciliation with the Church;
• Remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
• Remission, at least the part, of temporal punishment resulting from sins;
• Peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation; and
• The grace to avoid future occasions of sin.