Your child may be preparing to receive his or her First Reconciliation, or you may be looking for a refresher on how to receive the Sacrament yourself! Today, I am sharing 7 steps for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic church:
“ Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as “the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace.” CCC 1446
Wow! How good is God to allow us to purify our soul with this amazing sacrament? You can read more details about the sacrament of Reconciliation (also know as “Penance” or “Confession”) in the Catechism of the Catholic Church starting at CCC 1440.
7 Steps for Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation
To receive the Sacrament of Penance you must:
1. Examine your conscience.
2. Be truly sorry for your sins (complete contrition).
3. Determine not to sin again.
4. Confess your sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Penance.
5. Do the penance given by the priest.
During the year that your child will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, start practicing the following steps daily.
These are the steps that your child will use throughout his or her entire life when receiving the sacrament.
I have also created some handy cards to help anyone prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation! Simply print, laminate and cut. You can keep them from getting lost by punching a hole and putting them on a binder ring or piece of yarn.
Step 1: Examination of Conscience
Pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal what since you need to confess. Do this before heading off to church. Below, is a simple Examen appropriate for your entire family. Be sure to note how many times you committed each sin, if applicable. You can also write down what you would like to confess and bring it with you. Then, be sure to tear it up afterwards and throw it away. Or, use the laminated card in the Reconciliation set to simply wipe them away after Confession!
Step 2: Entering the Confessional
When it is your turn, enter the confessional and kneel at the kneeler facing the screen. Alternatively, you can sit in a chair usually provided.
Start your confession by doing the Sign of the Cross and saying out loud:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bless my Father, for I have sinned. It it my first confession (or, it has been XX days, weeks, months, or years since my last confession). Here are my sins.”
Step 3: Confessing Your Sins
Now, confess your sins in the order of the 10 commandments and tell how many times you committed each sin, if possible.
For example, “I missed Mass twice on 2 Sundays” or “I cheated 3 times in math class.”
Then, say:
“I am truly sorry for these sins and any others that I have forgotten.”
Step 4: Receiving your Penance
Next, the priest may offer a word of advice or counsel. He will also give you your penance.
Your penance may be 1 Hail Mary or 3 Our Fathers, etc. It could even be to apologize to the person who you hurt.
Step 5: Act of Contrition
Now, the priest will ask you to say the Act of contrition. Be sure to say it from your heart. You are talking directly to God when you go to confession. God is forgiving you through the priest, and you are receiving grace from God when you receive this sacrament!
Step 6: Receiving Absolution
Next, bow your head as the priest says the Absolution. The priest will say:
“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.”
After making the Sign of the Cross with the priest, and you should reply:
“Amen.”
The priest may say a few more closing words, followed by “Go in peace.”
You respond:
“Thanks be to God.”
Thank Father and then leave the confessional.
Rejoice! Your soul is as clean as the day of your baptism!
Step 7: Prayers of thanksgiving and penance after Confession
After you leave, spend a few moments in prayer. Thank God for His mercy and forgiveness.
Complete your penance immediately or as soon as possible.
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation Often as a Family
After your child receives his or her first sacrament of Reconciliation be sure it is not the last! In fact, one of the precepts of the church is to receive the Sacrament of Penance at last once a year.
Your entire family can now go to confession together.
What other questions do you have about confession? Please leave them in the comments!
