Reconciliation/Penance

• Saturday/sabado 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment (call 788-0811 to make arrangements)
• Thursday/jueves de 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. 

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is one of our sacraments of healing. More than simply the forgiveness of sins, St. John Paul II describes it as the sacrament of reconciliation with one’s inmost being, with one’s brothers and sisters, with the Church, and with all creation. It is necessary to reconcile one who has gravely sinned, and is recommended for venial sins. The sacrament consists of four parts or acts of the penitent on the journey of conversion.

1. Contrition involves the inner examination of heart and the external expression of culpability.
2. Confession involves speaking the words of remorse aloud to the priest confessor who fulfills a paternal role.
3. The Act of Penance is the assigned amendment of conduct or reparation of injury and may consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service to neighbor, and sacrifices.
4. Absolution is the visible sign of God’s mercy and pardon, indicated by the priest’s imposition of hands and the essential words of absolution, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

This sacrament is the only one which may not be celebrated within the celebration of the Eucharist, but instead leads to a return to the Eucharist. It may be celebrated in three forms: for individual penitents; communally for several penitents with individual confession and absolution, or collectively in the case of very serious need, though followed by individual confession and absolution as soon as possible.