Reconciliation
Sacrament of Penance
About Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is sometimes referred to as the Sacrament of Penance and was formerly known as Confession.
We come to this Sacrament when we recognise our sinfulness and ask for God’s forgiveness with the desire to turn to God. Reconciliation has been described as a new moment of grace and a time of awareness about our personal and social sin, calling us to remember our Baptismal commitment, our life confirmed in the Spirit, and our unity with the Eucharistic people.
Penance, which is celebrated with three different Rites of Reconciliation, is an ongoing opportunity to recommit ourselves to our baptismal way of life. Just like the ‘prodigal son,’ who felt a strong need to return, hear words of forgiveness and receive the father’s reassuring embrace, this sacrament is a ritual way of experiencing personal renewal and reconciliation with God and other people.
The First Rite of Reconciliation is available regularly at Sacred Heart Cathedral each week. For times refer to the Home page. During Lent and Advent, there are special celebrations of the Second Rite of Reconciliation. These will be advertised in the Weekly Bulletin and on the Parish website.
The discipline of the Church requires that a child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving First Communion. In St Benedict’s Parish, children are prepared to receive this Sacrament after Baptism and before Confirmation, usually towards the end of Grade 3.
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