RECONCILIATION
(Confession)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, is a fundamental practice in the Catholic Church, and an important gift for Epiphany parishioners. Upon participating in this sacrament, individuals confess their sins to a priest, who acts as a brother mediator (not a judge) between the penitent and God. At the heart of all sin is a lack of belief in God’s love, or an ingratitude for the love with which God has blessed everyone. Through this act of contrition and the priest's absolution, Catholics receive forgiveness, are reminded of God’s deep abiding love for them, and thereby experience spiritual healing.
Here at Epiphany students in our religious education program and school prepare and celebrate this sacrament in the second grade prior to receiving first Holy Communion. The purpose of this sacrament is two-fold: firstly it shows them that God loves and forgives them no matter what, and secondly it allows students to learn responsibility for their actions and how to live as Jesus taught us.
Participants in the Sacrament of Reconciliation usually begin by reflecting on their actions and acknowledging where they have fallen short of living according to the teachings of their faith. This process of self-examination helps individuals take responsibility for their mistakes and prepare to seek forgiveness. At Epiphany, you have the option of receiving the sacrament in a direct, face-to-face encounter with a priest, or in a private meeting with the priest and penitent separated by a screen. The priest offers guidance, support, and advice to their sister or brother. After confessing their sinfulness, their sorrow and regret, and a renewed commitment to living a virtuous life, penitents receive absolution and are reconciled with both God and the Church community.
Reconciliation serves as a reminder of the Catholic belief in God’s love, mercy, and redemption.
At Epiphany, you can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturdays 3pm-3:45pm, on Sundays 10am-10:45am and 6:45-7:15pm, and by appointment anytime (contact rectory 212-475-1966)
FOUR STEPS
TO RECONCILIATION
Step 1: PREPARATION
Confession is not difficult, but it does require preparation.
Before we enter the Confessional, we should begin with prayer. Place your trust in God, who is merciful, and remember that God loves you.
Review your life since your last confession, searching your thoughts, words and actions that revealed your ingratitude for being so loved by God. You might consider your actions with respect to the Ten Commandments of the Beatitudes of Jesus. This is called an examination of conscience.
Tell God how truly sorry you are for your sins.
Make a firm resolution not to sin again. Then head to the confessional, where the priest is waiting.
Step 2: CONFESSION OF SINS
Enter the Confessional
If you haven’t done this in a long time, don’t be afraid to ask the priest for help. He’s there to help you make friends with God again!
The Sacrament of Reconciliation may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between you and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.
Begin your confession
When you enter the confessional, the priest will give you a blessing or greeting. He may say a short prayer. Make the Sign of the Cross and say, "Bless me Father for I have sinned, It has been [X days, weeks, years] since my last confession.”
Confess your sins
After you have confessed all of your sins: Say "I am sorry for these and all of my sins." The priest will then offer you advice to help you be a better disciple of Jesus, such as how to better work with the graces that God is giving you in your life, or ways to combat your weaknesses or habitual sin. He will then suggest a way to show your gratitude for being forgiven and loved by God—perhaps to pray for someone else, perform an act of love for another person, read some spiritual writings, seek forgiveness from someone you have injured.
Say an Act of Contrition
This is a way of expressing your sorrow for your sins.
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess my sins, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Step 3: ABSOLUTION
The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.Restoration of friendship with God
When the priest absolves you, he will say the words:
I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, Reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity.
Step 4: SATISFACTION
Completing the penance suggested by the priest
Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must "make satisfaction for" or "expiate" his sins.
This satisfaction is also called "penance."
When one finishes Confession one leaves free, grand, beautiful, forgiven, candid, happy. This is the beauty of Confession!
— Pope Francis