Through Penance (Reconciliation / Confession), pardon is obtained by way of God's mercy for the offense committed against God. At the same time, the penitent is reconciled with the Church wounded by sin; a church which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for the conversion of sinners. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered:
In preparation, examine your conscience with sincerity and honesty, while expressing to God your sorrow and a desire to amend your life.
In the confessional/reconciliation room. you have the option of kneeling before a screen or sitting face-to-face across from the priest.
THE RITE OF RECONCILIATION
After confession, it is very important that you complete your penance as soon as possible. (If you do recall some serious sin you forgot to tell, rest assured that it has been forgiven with the others, but be sure to confess it in your next confession.) Also, give thanks to God for forgiving you and for the gift of sanctifying grace.
Return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation often as we are fortunate to have this healing and consoling sacrament. Not only is it the way to have our sins forgiven, but it is also a powerful aid in strengthening us, in helping us grow in grace, and in assisting us in following the path of a truly christian life.
Human nature was weakened when 'original sin' entered the world. Baptism removes the stain of original sin and fills us with grace, turning us back toward God. However, the consequences of original sin on humanity left us weakened, inclined toward evil, and we often commit personal or 'actual' sin. Actual sin is sin which an individual commits. There are two kinds of actual sin: mortal and venial.
Mortal sin is a serious offense against God, so serious that it destroys the life of grace in the soul. Three conditions must be present to commit a mortal sin:
Venial sin is a failure to observe necessary moderation in lesser matters of the moral law; or in serious matters, to act without full knowledge or complete consent. While venial sins does not have the grave effects of mortal sin, venial sin opens us to committing more grievous sin. Every christian should strive, through prayer and acts of penance and charity, to lead a life free of sin.
1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
1. Love God more than all things.
2. Say God's name with love.
3. Keep Sunday holy.
4. Honor your parents.
5. Take care of all living things.
6. Show respect for yourself and others.
7. Do not steal.
8. Tell the truth.
9. Do not be jealous.
10. Do not be greedy.
1. To attend Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed by the Church.
3. To confess your sins at least once a year.
4. To receive Holy Communion at least once during the Easter Season.
5. To contribute to the support of the Church, according to your own abilities.
**Whenever the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1) or the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15) or the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1) falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted. [ref. Canon 1264, §2]
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The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death. When any of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, it is the fitting to receive this sacrament.