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“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the
holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'”
John 20: 21-23

Let’s start by acknowledging that we all sin. Everyone makes mistakes… Jesus established this beautiful sacrament to wash us of our guilt and restore us through his love. Acknowledging our sins before a priest puts us in the presence of Christ himself and allows us to be reconciled to God and to one another no matter the severity of our mistakes. Forgiveness is available to all of us. If you’re in need of Christ’s forgiveness, please reach out to us and arrange a time to meet with a priest.
For children, Reconciliation is an important step towards receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion. There is one lesson the children need to take in order to prepare themselves for the Sacrament. This sacrament is usually received in year 4.
Reconciliation at St Mary’s is every Saturday from 5.00pm to 5.30pm or by appointment.

There are three forms of the celebration of penance.

  1. Reconciliation for Individual Penitents (Rite I)
    This form is celebrated by an individual person in the presence of the priest. The place where this happens is usually a Reconciliation Room (what used to be called a “Confessional’). A bible, a crucifix and candle are placed on a table in the centre of the space. The person may choose to sit facing the priest or to sit behind a screen and remain anonymous. The Rite begins with a greeting, followed by words of encouragement from the priest. After short reading from scripture, the person reflects on his/her circumstances and confesses his/her sins and seeks reconciliation. The priest offers advice and gives a penance that is meant to help in starting a new life and to remedy any weakness. The priest pronounces absolution and the rite concludes with a short thanksgiving.
  2. Reconciliation for Several Penitents with individual confession and absolution (Rite II)
    This form of the Rite begins with a celebration of the Word – readings from scripture, hymns, prayers, a homily and an examination of conscience, followed by a call to repentance. Private confession and reconciliation follow. The Rite concludes with a short thanksgiving, and a blessing and dismissal of the gathered assembly.
  3. Reconciliation for Several Penitents with general confession and absolution (Rite III)
    This form of the Rite follows the same pattern as Rite II, but does not include individual confession and reconciliation. It includes a communal prayer of confession and general absolution. The use of this form is restricted to emergencies and other special circumstances.

Individual Reconciliation (Rite I) is usually celebrated at set times during the week in parishes (often on Saturday afternoon) and may be arranged at other times by appointment.

This Rite is meant to give people the opportunity for personal prayer and individual spiritual direction to enable them to ‘set their lives on track’!

Communal Reconciliation (Rite II) is usually celebrated in parish communities during Advent and Lent and at other appropriate times during the year.

Baptised members of the Roman Catholic Church who feel called to be reconciled with God and with the faith community can take part in the sacrament of penance.

This call to conversion and reconciliation occurs when one considers, judges and changes one’s life in the light of God’s love revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Prayer and participating in the Eucharist are the regular means of asking for forgiveness and being reconciled with God and the community. However, there are times when the faithful need the sacrament of penance/reconciliation in their struggle to be forgiven and forgiving, to discover anew the gift of God’s saving action in their lives and to be strengthened to continue living as disciples of Jesus.

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