In the Church’s view, what would be an appropriate frequency for confession? Fr. Reginald Martin OP, writing in Our Sunday Visitor,provides this guidance:
The Church’s Code of Canon Law stipulates Catholics are bound to confess serious sins each year. “After [reaching] the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation…to confess serious sins at least once a year” (Canon 989). The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us we may not approach the Eucharist unless we are in the state of grace. It states, “Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance” (No. 1415). The Catechism likewise observes those preparing for marriage should “prepare themselves for the celebration of their marriage by receiving the sacrament of penance” (No. 1622).
These, however, are “minimum” requirements; our baptism unites us in a community with every other baptized Christian. This community is damaged by sin and nourished by the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. The Catechism says: “The confession … of sins, even from a simply human point of view … facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission man…takes responsibility for [sins], and thereby opens himself again to God and to the communion of the Church” (No. 1455). How often we avail ourselves of the sacrament must remain a personal decision, but frequent — perhaps monthly — confession is probably a good idea.
[Adapted from Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance--Questions and Answers.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Liturgy (2002)]
1. Preparation--Before going to confession, the penitent reflects on God's love and mercy and exams his or her life.with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the example of Christ and then prays to God for forgiveness.
• Click here for Scriptural Reflections on Reconciliation
• Click here for traditional Guides to Moral Living
• Click here for an selection of Examinations of Conscience
2. Going to Confession—After the priest welcomes you, both of you make the sign of the cross. Then you may wish to indicate facts about your life, the time of the last confession, difficulties in leading the Christian life, and anything else that may help the priest.
3. The Word of God—You or the priest may read one of the suggested scriptural passages.
4. Confession of Sins and the Act of Penance—Confess your sins. The priest then offers suitable advice and imposes an act of penance or satisfaction, which may include prayer, self-denial, or works of mercy.
5. Prayer of the Penitent—Pray a prayer expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving not to sin again. (Two suggested prayers are given here; you may also use a traditional “Act of Contrition” or a personal Act of Sorrow):
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 things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.
(Rite of Penance, no. 45)
(or)
Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the Lamb of God;
you take away the sins of the world.
Through the grace of the Holy Spirit
restore me to friendship with your Father,
cleanse me from every stain of sin
in the blood you shed for me,
and raise me to new life
for the glory of your name.
(Rite of Penance, no. 91)
6. Absolution—The priest extends his hands over your head and pronounces the formula of absolution, making the sign of the cross over your head during the final words. You answer, "Amen."
7. Proclamation of Praise—Praise the mercy of God and give him thanks in a short invocation taken from Scripture, such as "Rejoice in the Lord and sing for joy, friends of God" (Ps 32:1-7, 10-11), "The Lord has remembered his mercy" (Lk 1:46-55), or "Blessed be God who chose us in Christ" (Eph 1:3-10) (Rite of Penance, no. 206).
8. Dismissal—The priest dismisses you with the command to go in peace. Continue to express your conversion through a life renewed according to the Gospel and more and more steeped in the love of God.
In the past, Catholic teaching distinguished between two types or degrees of sin: venial and mortal. More recently, many Catholic moral theologians and pastors distinguish human sinfulness in three categories:venial, serious and mortal.
Catholics are obliged to confess mortal sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. According to a long-standing teaching of the Church, behavior is mortally sinful if it fulfils three criteria:
• It must consist of a serious matter. In other words, the behavior must do serious physical or spiritual
harm which severely damages or destroys oneself, another person, the community or God's creation.
• The individual must fully understand how serious the behavior is.
• The individual must freely choose to perform the behavior.
The Church recognizes that every individual must act according to his or her personal conscience (ie, what they sincerely believe is right or wrong in a given situation), even when it is wrong. This is not the same as saying "anything goes," or "if it feels right, do it." The Church also believes every person has a moral responsibility to develop a mature and sincere conscience which incorporates the convictions of the faith community expressed in church teaching; a mature and sincere conscience is more than a personal opinion.
Click here to learn more about formation of conscience
Irregular Marriage -- Persons in an irregular marriage (Catholics married outside the Church and previously married persons who remarry without an annulment) may not celebrate Reconciliation or the other sacraments, unless in danger of death. They may, however, visit with a priest during a Communal Penance service or in the confessional if they explain that they are not in a marriage recognized by the church. A person in an irregular marriage can resume celebrating the sacraments after obtaining an Decree of Invalidity (an annulment) and validating the civil marriage. Under certain conditions, some Catholics living in an irregular marriage may resume celebrating the sacraments with the approval of their pastor. Catholics in an irregular marriage should discuss their personal circumstances with a priest before making assumptions about their status.
Abortion -- A Catholic who knowingly, intentionally and culpably procures, cooperates in procuring or provides an abortion incurs an automatic censure of excommunication. This censure must be lifted before a Catholic may celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation or other sacraments. In the Archdiocese of Dubuque, parish priests are authorized to remit the censure incurred by an abortion and may absolve properly disposed penitents from the sin of abortion. If possible, individuals who have incurred an automatic censure should arrange to meet privately with a priest at the parish office or during individual confession times.
Find Out More...
• Read "Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance--Questions and Answers" here.
• Download an illustrated guide to Confession here
• Read Pope Francis's catechesis on Reconciliation here and here.
• Read Pope Benedict XVI's reflections on the Sacrament of Penance here
• Read Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Exhortation, Reconciliation and Penance here
• Watch a video: "Penance--Why We Confess"
http://bustedhalo.com/video/penance-why-we-confess
• Watch this animated video "Contrition, Confession, Satisfaction"
• Watch "What If I Don't Feel Forgiven?"
• Watch a Religion and Ethics Newsweekly report on how Catholics celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation here
• Watch a two-part video, "Confession 101--What It Is and How to Do It" here and here.
• Download "iConfess" on your i-pod here.
• Reflect on Annie Karto's video, "Come Home (to the Father)"
• Watch this video "How Going to Confession Can Change Your Life"
• Read this article on the scriptural foundation for confession here
• Read these helpful articles about Catholics and Reconciliation:
"Why Do Catholics Go to Confession?"
"Confessions of a Repeat Offender"
"To Err Is Human--The Truth About Reconciliation"
"Confession--A Shadow of Its Former Self?"
"Hate Confession?--Here's Why You Should Reconsider" (America)
"Sex and Confession--five helpful guidelines"
"A Convert's Experience of Confession"
Children may prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance starting in 2nd grade. The child needs to be enrolled in Catholic school or a Religious Education program during the year of preparation. The Blessed program from Dynamic Catholic along with supplemental parent support materials are used. Preparation lessons are done as a partnership of the home and the Catholic school/Religious Education classroom. There is a $25 fee to cover child/parent materials, Retreat and celebration costs.
For 2nd graders:
Parent Meetings - All parents attend an information meeting to learn about the preparation process and receive materials.
Fall 2023 Parent Info Meetings
Sunday, Sept. 10th - 1pm at Sacred Heart O'Hagen Hall (Burmese)
Monday, Sept. 11th -6pm St. Eds Parish Hall
Tuesday, Sept. 12th - 6:30pm, Blessed Sacrament Church
Sunday, Sept. 17th - 4pm, Queen of Peace Scallon Hall (Spanish)
Reach out to Annie (anniezeets@gmail.com) if you are not able to make one of these meetings. You do not need to attend the meeting of your perspective Parish. (Ex: If you are a parishoner at Blessed Sacrament, you can attend the St. Eds parent info meeting. The Information is consistent across the different meeting locations/times.)
Reconciliation Retreat : Information TBA.
First Reconciliation Celebrations Celebrations will consist of a short prayer service followed by individual Confessions. Each Waterloo parish will host one, and families may choose whichever best fits their schedule. In order to maintain social distancing, there will be a llimit on how many may attend at a site.
Dates for First Reconciliation Celebrations: