Answer to: "What is reconciliation?" (Edited Version)
Hello everyone. Thanks for reading : )
Today's topic is reconciliation, basically a walk-through of what it is and why we as Catholics believe in it.
First, a basic explanation. Reconciliation is, first of all, one of seven sacraments in the Catholic faith. During the sacrament, the sinner, for lack of a better word, professes their sins to the priest, and God as well (although He already knows everything). They also profess their regret and promise to never do it again. After this, the priest gives the sinner absolution for their sins, or forgiveness.
So here's the step by step process.
Reconciliation is either held in one of those confessional kind of things, like you see on TV, or you are talking to the priest face to face, without anything between you. I have never done it the first way, so I can't say much about that, but I personally think it's cooler to have just a one-on-one conversation with the priest.
So, you go in and sit down. The priest says a blessing and then asks what you want to confess.
You confess as much or as little as you want. I think it's more powerful to confess everything because the priests are always so forgiving and nice.
Afterward, you say an act of contrition, or a statement professing how sorry you are and that you will never do it again. Some people have a basic one memorized, but I feel that it comes more from my heart if I just say my own.
Then the priest absolves you (forgives you) from your sins, by saying something like this:
"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."
During the bold part, you make the sign of the cross, and then you are free from your sins!
So what is so cool about Reconciliation?
God is forgiving you for whatever you did! It really doesn't matter what you did, He will forgive you for anything. Also, it lets a huge pressure off your chest to finally tell someone about what you have done. Afterward, I always feel so refreshed and renewed, like God's grace and forgiveness really did come upon me.
Some people are really intimidated by it, but it really is not that hard to go through. The priests always really care about you and do the best to help you.
So, there is also one more part to this. That is the sin factor. I will cover the two types of sin in my next post, but know this: Venial sins are strongly recommended for you to confess, but you don't have to. If you have committed a mortal sin, and not confessed it, or had the intentions to confess it before you die, you may earn yourself a one-way ticket to Hell. So, keep that in mind.
Let me know if you have any questions/comments about this topic, or if you have any questions for new topics!
4 comments
First of all, thank you for posting this! I do get the general idea of reconciliation but what I am wondering a little more about is what happens during this sacrament? Basically what I know about how it works is what I have seen in TV shows when there is somebody confessing that they killed somebody or something and they show a little scene. I guess I am just curious what exactly you do during this sacrament? Also does the priest just tell you that you are forgiven or how does it work? Thanks for taking the time to explain all of this!
Thanks for taking the time to explain this in more detail! I look forward to reading your next post.
i need to know the 3 ways how reconciliation can be experianced and whatt happens in induvidual recon ciliationn :) xx
its when u have a good time