Reconciliation/Penance

Reconciliation, also known as Penance or Confession, is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is a sacrament of healing through which Catholics confess their sins, receive forgiveness, and are reconciled with God and the Church. The sacrament offers a path to spiritual renewal, helping the faithful restore their relationship with God, others, and themselves.

Significance of Reconciliation

1. Forgiveness of Sins
   Reconciliation allows the faithful to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness. It cleanses them of the guilt and burden of sin and restores their soul to a state of grace.

2. Reconciliation with God and the Church
   When a person sins, they harm their relationship with both God and the community of believers. The sacrament reconciles the sinner with God and heals their bond with the Church.

3. Spiritual Healing and Growth
   Through Reconciliation, Catholics receive grace to overcome sin, grow in virtue, and deepen their relationship with God. It strengthens them spiritually and helps them resist future temptation.

Biblical Foundation

The sacrament of Reconciliation is rooted in Scripture, where Jesus gave His apostles the authority to forgive sins. In John 20:21-23, Jesus said to the apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

This passage reflects the Church’s authority, passed down through the successors of the apostles (the bishops and priests), to forgive sins in Christ’s name.

The Rite of Reconciliation

The sacrament of Reconciliation follows a specific structure, often performed in private with a priest, either in a confessional or a designated area of the church. The key steps are:

1. Examination of Conscience
   Before confessing, the penitent reflects on their actions, identifying sins they have committed since their last confession. This self-examination helps the person recognize areas where they have fallen short and seek God’s mercy.

2. Confession of Sins
   The penitent then confesses their sins to a priest. While all mortal (serious) sins must be confessed, the penitent is also encouraged to confess venial (less serious) sins to grow in holiness. Confession must be sincere and complete, without withholding any sins.

3. Act of Contrition
   After confessing, the penitent expresses sorrow for their sins through an Act of Contrition. This prayer reflects their repentance and desire to amend their life. An example of the Act of Contrition is: “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.”

4. Absolution
   The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then prays the prayer of absolution, granting forgiveness of sins. He says: “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.”

5. Penance
   After absolution, the priest assigns a penance, which may involve prayers, good works, or acts of charity. The penance is meant to help the penitent repair the harm caused by sin and begin a path of renewal.

Types of Sin

1. Mortal Sin
   Mortal sins are serious offenses against God’s law that result in the loss of grace and spiritual death if not confessed. To be a mortal sin, it must involve grave matter, be committed with full knowledge, and be done with deliberate consent. Examples include murder, adultery, or denying God.

2. Venial Sin
   Venial sins are less serious offenses that weaken, but do not break, one’s relationship with God. While these sins do not require immediate confession, regular confession of venial sins is encouraged for spiritual growth.

Effects of the Sacrament

1. Forgiveness of Sins
   The most profound effect of the sacrament is the complete forgiveness of sins, restoring the penitent to a state of grace and communion with God.

2. Restoration of Peace and Spiritual Strength
   Confession brings inner peace, healing, and a sense of renewal, freeing the soul from guilt and helping the person grow spiritually.

3. Reconciliation with the Church
   When a person confesses, they not only reconcile with God but also with the Church, which is harmed by every sin. The sacrament repairs the damage done to the unity of the body of Christ.

4. Grace to Resist Sin
   The sacrament imparts grace that strengthens the individual’s resolve to avoid sin and helps them grow in virtue and holiness.

Importance of Regular Confession

The Catholic Church encourages regular confession, even if one has not committed mortal sin. Frequent confession:

• Helps foster a spirit of humility and self-awareness.

• Deepens one’s relationship with God and the Church.

• Provides the grace to grow in holiness and resist future temptation.

The Seal of Confession

The sacrament of Reconciliation is protected by the Seal of Confession, meaning that anything said by the penitent to the priest during confession is kept in absolute secrecy. The priest is forbidden, under any circumstances, from revealing what was confessed. This ensures that individuals can confess with complete trust and confidence.

Confession Schedule

Individual confession with a priest during Ordinary Time is available at the following times:

Every Saturday:

7:30 am to 9:00 am |  5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Steps of a Good Reconciliation

For more details, please reach out to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Titus Imojime via email at fatherimojime@gmail.com or by phone at +232 34 476 224 / +232 74 868 899.