Why shouldn’t we just ask God for forgiveness?

Why go to a priest?

The Rite of Reconciliation

To describe the 4 stages of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

To explain why we have a Sacrament of Reconciliation

To evaluate psychological benefits of the Sacrament

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples. He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. Those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”

• This power to forgive sins is passed on to priests when they take the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Jesus wanted people to experience God’s forgiveness directly and personally.

• The priest represents Christ and the Church. When we go to a priest for forgiveness we are being reconciled to the community of the Church as well as with God.

1. Write out what Jesus told his disciples after his resurrection. How does this make a priest the right person to go to for forgiveness?

2. Explain 2 reasons why it might be better to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, than just pray to God for forgiveness.

**What is your view?

• Watch the video.

• What are the different parts of what happens when someone does go to a priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Order by letter, the events in the Sacrament of Reconciliation

1. Write the events of the Sac. Of Reconciliation in order

2. How does Jesus’ death make forgiveness of sins possible?

**What could be psychological benefits of going to Confession? Mindmap some.

E. PREPARATION – examine your conscience, reflect in prayer on your recent sins, realise why it is a sin.

A. CONFESSION – make the sign of the cross, and admit your sins to the priest, showing you accept responsibility for them.

C. CONTRITION – express genuine sorrow and regret at having sinned in these ways. Promise you will try and be different, with God’s help.

B. ABSOLUTION – receive God’s forgiveness through the ministry of the Church. This clears you from shame and guilt. You are given a fresh start.

D. PENANCE – listen to anything the priest has to say, and accept what he asks you to do, to prove you are truly sorry. Do it as soon as you can after the Sacrament.

PCPCA

Psychological Benefits

• Renew friendship with God. • Receive spiritual strength to resist

against evil.• Peace. • Freedom from shame and guilt.• Mortal sins – release from eternal

punishment• Venial sins – release from some of

punishments/ consequences of sin• Reconciliation with community of the

Church

Communal Confession – a cop out?Sometimes, Churches may put on a Mass of Reconciliation, where people are invited during the Mass to reflect and pray about their sins in general, and ask God’s forgiveness as a community. The Priest will usually finish the mass by giving General Absolution to all who took part.

This forgives venial sins, but not mortal.

Individual Sacrament of Reconciliation

Communal Sacrament of Reconciliation

Which Sacrament would you prefer to go to & why?

What is not so good about communal confession?

How would you reply to these objections to the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

• You are just going to be told off for what you have done wrong, so why bother.

• You just have to say the words and you will be forgiven. It is a let off!

• God will not forgive you because your sins are too bad.

• It would be too embarrassing to confess your sins.• The priest might start looking at you in a funny way

or tell someone about you.