Chapter 14: Sacraments of Healing

{ Penance “ “In the life of the body a man is sometimes sick, and unless he takes medicine, he will die. Even so in the spiritual life a man is sick on account of sin. For that reason he needs medicine so that he may be restored to health; and this grace is bestowed in the Sacrament of Penance.” (St. Thomas Aquinas)

 miserables/trust-each-other miserables/trust-each-other miserables/trust-each-other  miserables/back-to-god miserables/back-to-god miserables/back-to-god Les Misérables (1998)

 Listen to the passage from John 8:1-11  Discuss with a person next to you: what does this story and the videos with Jean Valjean show about sins and forgiveness?  Share some of your thoughts with the class.

 We are called to metanoia, “conversion”   “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)  “Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental conversion.” (CCC 1427)  Forgiveness of original sin & grace to live life with God.  Effects of original sin remain – concupiscence - tendency toward sin  We are also called to a continual conversion throughout our lives.  Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance/Confession to forgive us our sins and call us to conversion of heart.  “St. Ambrose says of the two conversions that, in the Church, ‘there are water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance.’” (CCC 1429) Our Call to Conversion

 Mortal Sin –  Mortal Sin – a serious offense against God that destroys a person’s relationship with God and the charity of the human heart.   3 Conditions:   Must be a grave or serious matter (think 10 Commandments)  Individual committing the sin must have full knowledge that the act is serious and wrong  Act must be freely chosen   Result: Those who die in a state of mortal sin, having chosen to be separated from God in this life, will be separated from Him for all eternity. This separation from God is called Hell.   Mortal sins must be confessed in kind and in number. What is sin? Sin – “an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law”… “an offense against God.” (CCC )

 Venial Sin  Venial Sin – an act against moral law that is either not a grave matter or if the sinner is not aware that it is a grave matter, or if the act was not committed with full consent   Still important to take venial sin seriously. They can build up and lead us to mortal sin.  Sin of commission – an act committed in violation of God’s law  Sin of omission – failing to act virtuously in a given situation or failing to perform an act required by God’s Law.  Ex: Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Mt 25:31-46) What is sin? What is sin? Continued…

 Recipient: Baptized Catholic (over the age of reason)  Particularly when one has committed mortal sin, encourage for venial sin  At least once per year  Matter  Traditionally defined as “the acts of the penitent”  Contrition, Confession, Satisfaction (Penance)  Contrition – true sorrow for having sinned – perfect = love for God, imperfect = fear of consequences  Form  Absolution “I absolve you from your sins in the name… +.“  Minister  Ordinary: Bishop, Priest (by jurisdiction)  Must practice the seal of the confession  Extraordinary: None Outward Sign…

 Jesus forgives sinners (Mark 2:5-11; Matthew 9:2-7)  Binding and Loosing (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18)  “Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.” (18:18)  Resurrection Appearance in the Upper Room  John 20:21-23 “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”  Like Great Commission – command not just given to Apostles, but to whole Church … Instituted by Christ …

 Reconciliation with God and with the Church  ‘… restoring us to God’s grace and joining us in an intimate friendship.” (Roman Catechism II.V.18)  Peace of conscience and spiritual comfort  Forgiveness of sins  Mortal – returns us to the state of grace (restores sanctifying grace)  Venial – contributes to a portion of temporal punishment in Purgatory  Strengthening for living Christian life – provides us with actual graces to help us avoid sin in the future.  Prepares for final meeting with Divine Judge … To Give Grace

The Return of the Prodigal Son (Rembrandt) Luke 15:11-32 For Understanding:  Contrition vs. Attrition  God’s forgiveness and grace

 Process developed over time  Some 1 st and 2 nd century sources describe the opportunity to receive a ‘second penitence’ to make up for greater sins. Some say that it could only be received once.  3 rd -4 th centuries  Often a matter for the whole community – public penance, and sometimes even public confession, though not always  Penance took time, as severe sins were understood as inducing excommunication – bishop restored communion  In face of persecution, debate over whether those who denied faith may be accepted. Allowed through penance.  5th century – movement towards private confession and role of priest History

 6 th -7 th cent. – Irish monks begin process like our own  Private confession, penance fixed by priest, prayer of pardon  Carried ‘penitentials’ to make penances suit the sins  Performed more than once  Council declares this practice standard, with adjustments  Defined more over the years through various councils  (20 th Cent.) Vatican II and Pope Paul VI – restored focus on reconciling with community and with God  Current rites formalized and established History (cont.)

3 Rites Individual Confession Penance Service with Individual Confession General Confession and Absolution

 Reception of the Penitent  (optional) Reading of the Word of God  Confession of Sins and Acceptance of Penance (Satisfaction)  Allows for counsel and a penance appropriate to sins  Act of Contrition  Absolution  Proclamation of Praise of God and Dismissal Rite

Celebration of the Rite of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Preparation of the Priest and the Penitent Priest: Prays for enlightenment from the Holy Spirit Penitent: Makes an examination of conscience and asks for God’s forgiveness Welcoming of the Penitent Priest: Greets the penitent graciously Reading of the Word of God (optional) Priest: Priest may recite a verse from memory, or priest and penitent may choose a verse to read together Penitent: May help priest choose a verse to recite Penitent’s Confession and Acceptance of the Penance Penitent: Says a general prayer; makes confession of sins; agrees to do penance Priest: Offers help and counsel as needed; proposes penance Penitent’s Prayer Priest’s Absolution Penitent: Prays an Act of Contrition Priest: Extends hands over head of penitent and pronounces words of absolution; makes the Sign of the Cross over the penitent Proclamation of Praise and Dismissal of Penitent Priest: Says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good”; dismisses penitent Penitent: Completes psalm, saying, “His mercy endures forever”

 Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest? Why can’t we just ask God directly? For Discussion