Healing Sacrament of Confession

Healing Sacrament of Confession (Penance, Reconciliation) . . .

". . . Penance  . . . a supernatural reality   designed to produce in hearts the effects of serenity and peace, that is a fruit of grace."                                                                                                                        — Pope John Paul II
 
"It is so clear that the fundamental message of the saints is the importance of placing our confidence in the infinite mercy of Christ. Prayer is simply a way of opening ourselves up to this mercy."
-- Ralph Martin
      
 -- The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a   Sacrament of Prayer --    
 
The following steps are outlined in the  special insert provided in the online bulletin pp. 5-8:
 
First Step: Examination of Conscience
Second Step:  Introduce Yourself through Christ
Third Step:  Tell the Priest the time frame of your last confession – How long has it been?
Fourth Step:  Tell the Lord your sins through the person of the Priest
Fifth Step:  Receive Your Penance
Sixth Step:  Express Your Sorrow – say a good “Act of Contrition”
Seventh Step:  For a contrite Confession, You Receive Absolution
Eighth Step:  Go in front of the Lord and say your Penance
 
In the power of this sacrament of healing, we acknowledge our suffering and pain.
The priest helps us to experience the presence of God in the process of our healing from the effects of our sin and related suffering. The following ideas may be useful:                                                                     
 
Pray
 
Reflect on what the priest shared with you in how to deal with the effects of sin. Read the Psalms 22, 44, 53, 77, 88, and 109 and others which can help you lament                
(a passionate expression of grief or sorrow) and explain your pain to a loving God who is always listening. Through our lament, we can become renewed. Our relationship with God is strengthened as we share in the   suffering of our Lord. The lament helps us to converse personally with God and stay in communication with our Lord.
 
Prayers of Love, Comfort and  Reconciliation
 
1 John 1:9 
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
 
Ruth 1:16  
But Ruth said, “Do not press me to go back and abandon you! For where you go I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.”
 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17  
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.
 
Trust in God’s Love for You
Our trust in God helps us to respond to suffering in our thoughts and action. We move toward change, transformation in our lives to become closer to God. We may need to reach out to others in simple conversation or we may need to discuss our problem areas with a spiritual director or seek further support through counseling or social services to help address issues that block our progress in our relationship with God and one another.

Go to this week's bulletin for complete article.
 
May His Blessings and Graces Be Upon You,    
Fr. John