The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The focus of the sacrament of Reconciliation (previously called Penance or Confession) is about forgiveness and restoring our relationship with God. The sacrament helps us to receive the strength to learn from our mistakes, forgive ourselves and others, make friends with God again and achieve inner peace and healing. In fact, Reconciliation is one of the sacraments of healing (together with the Anointing of the Sick).

During the sacrament of Reconciliation, we speak to God through the priest and receive God’s forgiveness for the things we have done wrong. We recite the Act of Contrition, receive absolution from the priest and are usually given an action of penance such as some prayers to say or an action to make up for our wrongdoing.

There are three forms or rites of Reconciliation:

¨ First Rite: Where you meet the priest on your own in a private room called a Confessional
¨ Second Rite: Involves a brief community prayer service then individual Reconciliation
¨ Third Rite: Involves a general community Reconciliation used only under special circumstances
At St. Michael’s, our students received the sacrament for the first time using the second rite.

The Act of Contrition (Prayer of Sorrow)
O my God, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you.
Because you are so good and with your help I will try not to sin again.

Amen.