THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION IN CATHOLIC LEAMINGTON

Priests are available at regular times each week for the Sacrament of  Reconciliation (sometimes called Confession or Penance) in the Catholic Leamington Parishes. These are listed in the weekly newsletter. If you cannot make one of these times you can approach the priest at any time, and if they are not busy they will hear your Confession.

​WHY DO WE NEED THE SACRAMENT?
Jesus told his followers, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15) He is asking us to turn back to Him, being sorry for the bad things that we have done and determined to change our life for the better in the future.

During his public life Jesus not only forgave sins, He also showed that the penitent sinners could be reintegrated into the community of the People of God, from which sin had alienated or even excluded them. A sign of this is that Jesus received sinners at His table.

The Church is the Body of Christ, with Jesus as its Head and we are members of that body. When we sin, we turn away from God and we break our relationship with Him and with the Christian people around us, that is the Church. On our own, without God’s grace and mercy, we wouldn’t be able to restore our relationship with Him.
Only God can forgive sins but He has given the Church the authority to grant forgiveness on his behalf. After his resurrection from the dead Jesus breathed on the Apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:22 – 23)


ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE SACRAMENT
The Sacrament is performed in a private between the penitent (the one seeking forgiveness) and the priest.
The Sacrament has three parts for the penitent: repentance (sorrow for their sins), confession (disclosure of their sins to the priest) and reparation (a willingness to do something to make up for the wrongs they have committed).
The Sacrament is completed when the Church, working through the priest, forgives the penitent’s sins in the name of Jesus Christ and determines the penance. This might consist of saying prayers, an act of charity or self-denial or something relevant that will help them to grow in love and humility.

THE PRIEST’S ROLE
In the sacrament the priest is standing in the place of God, and like our heavenly Father, he loves us and wants to help us to grow in faith and love. He is bound to keep anything that is said a secret and will be delighted that we want to turn back to God and be reconciled with the Church.

REGULAR CONFESSION
The Church teaches that we can express sorrow for our small everyday sins and be converted in a number of ways like fasting, prayer and charitable acts. There is also frequent reception of the Eucharist, Bible reading and acts of worship. But we do need to go to Confession regularly to grow in our spiritual life.

THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
“The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation." (1468)


If you would like to find out more or are unsure about how to approach the sacrament please ask one of the Priests who will be happy to tell you more and can guide you through the sacrament if necessary.
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