The Sacrament of Reconciliation

January 1, 2025

In the past three months, we’ve explored the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. This month, we turn our focus to the first of the Sacraments of Healing: The Sacrament of Reconciliation. You might also hear Catholics refer to this sacrament as Confession, Penance, or Conversion.

Understanding the Sacrament of Reconciliation

After receiving the great gift of salvation through Baptism, we do not immediately become perfect Christians. We struggle with sin, and through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are given the opportunity to seek forgiveness for the sins committed after Baptism. As St. Ambrose once said, there are two conversions: “water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1429).

 

Like all sacraments, Reconciliation is a personal encounter with Jesus. During Reconciliation, we confess our sins to a priest who acts “in persona Christi”, or in the person of Christ, and has the authority granted by Jesus to forgive sins. The priest listens to the penitent, offers guidance, provides a suitable penance, and speaks the words of absolution.

Jesus granted this authority to His apostles after His resurrection, as described in John 20:19-23:

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’"

The priest absolves sins based on the penitent’s sincere confession of their sins, sorrow for them (contrition), and commitment to avoid future sin (amendment of life). This exchange between the penitent and priest in the sacrament is a crucial distinction from simply praying for forgiveness on one’s own.

Three Parts of Penance

To receive absolution in Reconciliation, three key parts must be present:

Contrition – Sorrow for the sins committed, coupled with a firm resolution not to sin again. (CCC 1451).

Confession – The vocal disclosure of sins to a priest. Mortal sins must be confessed in kind and number, while venial sins, though not required, may also be confessed.

Penance – The priest assigns a penance to help the penitent grow in holiness.

The Six Effects of the Sacrament

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1496) outlines six effects of the Sacrament of Penance:

Reconciliation with God: Through the sacrament, we receive God’s grace, healing the separation caused by sin.

Reconciliation with the Church: Sin affects not only our relationship with God but also with the Church. Reconciliation restores our relationship with both.

Remission of Eternal Punishment: Mortal sins incur eternal punishment. Through Confession, God pardons this punishment.

Remission of Temporal Punishments: Sin leads to suffering in this life such as causing negative consequences from our actions, damaging our relationship with others, creating guilt and shame, and ultimately separating us from a sense of peace and connection with God. Reconciliation alleviates the temporary, earthly consequences of sin, which remain even after the guilt of the sin has been forgiven.

Peace and Serenity of Conscience: The sacrament brings spiritual peace and consolation, lightening our hearts and renewing us in God’s love.

Spiritual Strength: Confession strengthens us to overcome future temptations and grow in virtue, helping us in the spiritual battle.

Form and Matter of the Sacrament

Form: The words of absolution spoken by the priest are essential:

"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."

These words express the essential elements of the sacrament (CCC 1449).

Matter: The matter of the sacrament is the actual sins confessed out loud by the penitent, along with the contrition for those sins.

Returning to the Sacrament

If it has been some time since you last received the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, know that there are many resources available to help you prepare and return to the sacrament of God’s mercy. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the parish or other resources for support in returning to this beautiful sacrament of healing and forgiveness.