J.M.J.
One periodically hears Catholics discuss the decline
in use of the Sacrament of Penance among the Faithful since the 1960s. This
claim is difficult to refute. Nevertheless, before his death Pope Saint John Paul
II had referred to a welcome upsurge in the number of Confessions. This is good
news and bodes well for the future.
The wisdom of the Church throughout the centuries has
offered various tried-and-true ways to help Catholics in making a sincere Confession.
There are some excellent written guides that assist the penitent in this
important task. Two useful resources, which may be purchased inexpensively in
bulk quantities, are: An Examination of
Conscience: A Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance by Father
Robert J. Altier (Leaflet Missal Company, 976 West Minnehaha Avenue, Saint
Paul, Minnesota 55104; 800 328-9582), 2002; Preparation
for Confession and Communion by
Father Frederick L. Miller, S.T.D. (New Hope Publications, Post Office Box 10,
New Hope, Kentucky 40052; 800 764-8444), 2000.
A “good” Confession means a worthy Confession, that
is, the penitent tells the unconfessed mortal sins that he has committed. He is
to do so in both kind (what they are)
and number. The Church infallibly
teaches that the penitent need confess within the context of the Sacrament only
previously unconfessed mortal sins (that is, gravely wrong desires, thoughts,
words and actions performed with sufficient reflection and full consent of the
will); however, she earnestly recommends that venial sins, also, be confessed
because such acknowledgment leads to self-knowledge of one’s own weakness,
humility in “owning-up” to what one has done wrong and an increase in
sanctifying grace. A “Devotional Confession” is the confession of venial sins.
The Scriptural basis for this Sacrament is clear. On
the evening of Easter Sunday, the Risen Lord Jesus Christ appeared to His
fearful Apostles. The Master exclaimed: “Receive
the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you
retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Saint John 20: 22b-23)
The Sacrament of Penance has three “parts” regarding
the penitent (the one confessing) and one “part” concerning the confessor (the
priest who possesses the faculty to hear Confessions and grant Absolution). For
the penitent, there are: contrition (sorrow), which includes a firm purpose of
amendment; confession (telling of sins); satisfaction (atonement), which occurs
by way of the performance of the penance given by the confessor. For the
confessor, there is the imparting of Absolution (the actual Prayer of
Absolution).
How does one actually confess? It is vital that the
penitent prepare well before approaching the Sacrament. Such preparation
consists in begging the Most Blessed Trinity for wisdom and insight. A thorough
examination of conscience cannot be overestimated. Often, the Ten Commandments,
the Precepts of the Church, the Beatitudes or the Theological and the Cardinal
Virtues prove to be a helpful foundation by which to reflect on how one is
following Christ and obeying His life-giving mandates.
Under usual conditions, the penitent enters the
confessional and kneels behind a curtain or screen so to conceal his identity.
(Some confessionals today also offer the opportunity for “face-to-face”
Confession.) After beginning with the Sign of the Cross, the confessor may
share a passage from Sacred Scripture. Then, the penitent uses the familiar
formula, “Bless/Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been __weeks/months/years
since my last Confession.”
Next, the penitent honestly names the sins of which he
is guilty. He may conclude the recital of his sins by asserting, “I am sorry
for these and for all the sins of my past life.” The confessor gives some
valuable counsel to the penitent, encouraging him to put his trust in God and to
seek true Christian holiness. The confessor also assigns a penance that is to
help repair the injustice that the penitent has caused by his sins.
The penitent then recites the Act of Contrition,
expressing his sorrow for his sins, his genuine desire to perform the penance
he was just given and his intent to avoid all the unnecessary and near
occasions of sin (those persons, places, things and events) that lead to
disobeying God’s unchanging law. The priest prays the formula of Absolution:
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.
The confessor may also add, among other prayers, the Passio
Domini nostri Iesu Christi:
May
the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin
Mary and of all the Saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal
your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with Everlasting Life.
Go in peace.
The penitent leaves the confessional and performs his
penance as soon as possible.
We can maintain with absolute certainty that one who
is really sorry for his sins, tells them honestly, plans to avoid sin in the
future, intends to do his assigned penance and receives valid sacramental
absolution from a duly authorized priest is truly forgiven of his sins. Such a
realization is in itself a grace from the hand of the Lord Jesus Himself.
Confession has been called, with good reason, “the
maker of Saints.” Father Miller wrote:
If you make good use and frequent use of this
Sacrament, you will have peace of heart, purity of conscience and a deep union
with Christ in His love for His Father and for all men and women. The grace of
the Sacrament will cause you to become like Jesus, our Lord, in all you say and
do! It will make you a stronger and more committed member of His Church!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, full of compassion and
love, have mercy on us!
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of the
Church, pray for us!
Saint Joseph, Foster-father of the Christ, Chaste Spouse
of the Ever-Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!
The Twelve Apostles, intimate and true friends of the
Messiah, pray for us!
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