Reconciliation is the sacrament in which a sinner s reconciled to Christ and to the Church through our Lord's mercy.
Who can administer Reconciliation? God, Jesus because he is the Son of God, and priests can forgive sins in Jesus' place because He has given the authority.
Form of Reconciliation: "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Matter of Reconciliation: The verbal confession of sins
Rite of Reconciliation: Several penitents with individual confession and absolution
Who can administer Reconciliation? God, Jesus because he is the Son of God, and priests can forgive sins in Jesus' place because He has given the authority.
Form of Reconciliation: "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Matter of Reconciliation: The verbal confession of sins
Rite of Reconciliation: Several penitents with individual confession and absolution
First experience of reconciliation: My first experience of reconciliation was just prior to my First Holy Communion. I went to my parish of St.Rose of Lima with my religion class to receive the sacrament. I remember it being very nerve-wracking having to admit my sins to a priest and remembering the Act of Contrition. My friends went in one by one leading up to my turn. I walked in to a closed office, sat down across from the Priest and greeted him by shaking his hand. He could tell that I was nervous and told me to take a deep breath. Once I calmed down, I performed The Act of Contrition and began to admit my sins. He gave me a penance to pray a certain number of Hail Mary's and Our Father's and to do something good. After that, he said "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." and I performed by penance after I left.
When is Reconciliation offered at your local parish? At my parish, St.Rose of Lima, Reconciliation is offered from 4-5 pm on Saturdays, Monday-Friday after 9 am Mass, by appointment and during the Seasons of Advent and Lent two Penance Services are offered.
The examination of conscience is a spiritual exercise in which a person thinks about the actions they've made and determines for themselves whether or not they've committed sins and in what way. This is used as you enter confession, along with other essentials such as contrition, a purpose of amendment, confession, and penance.