1. The Sacrament of Reconciliation

2. Other names for the Sacrament  Sacrament of Conversion  Sacrament of Confession  Sacrament of Forgiveness

3. How the Sacrament Developed 1. PUBLIC PENANCE: During the first six centuries of the Church in the West, the baptized who committed SERIOUS sins (adultery, murder, idolatry) were admitted to the ORDER OF THE PENITENTS. Forgiveness in some places was only given once in a lifetime! 2. PRIVATE PENANCE: Irish monks brought the Eastern practice of private confession and this continues in the Church today.

4. The Individual Ritual The Penitent experiences four steps: 1. Confesses Sins 2. Accepts a “penance” (say a prayer, do a good deed) 3. Prays the Act of Contrition 4. Receives absolution (forgiveness) from the priest who is a representative of God in human form