What is Reconciliation?
Reconciliation is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus in his love and mercy to offer sinners forgiveness. At the same time, sinners are also reconciled with the Church because she is also wounded by our sins.
Every time we sin, we hurt God, other people and ourselves. In Reconciliation, we acknowledge our sins before God and his Church. We express our sorrow in a meaningful way, receive the forgiveness of Jesus, make reparation for what we have done and resolve to do better in the future.
Reconciliation involves four elements:
- Contrition – a sincere sorrow for having sinned against God;
- Confession – confronting our sins in a profound way to God by speaking aloud of them to the priest, God’s minister;
- Penance – a fundamental part of the healing process in which we are called to acts of good to reverse the harm done by our sin; and
- Absolution – the priest speaks the words by which “God, the Father of Mercies” reconciles us to himself through the merits of the cross.
Celebrations of Reconciliation
Visit the Mass Times & Confession page for times when The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available by appointment. Please contact the Parish Office to schedule a time.
Penitential Services with individual confession are held twice annually during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
Act of Contrition
The Act of Contrition expresses our sorrow for what we have done and commits us to improving our way of living and relationships. The Act of Contrition is said before the priest gives a penance and absolution.
Traditional version
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Modern version
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,
I have sinned against You whom I should love above all,
I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Saviour Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.