Penance / Reconciliation Study Guide

Absolution

The prayer by which a priest, through the power given to the Church by Jesus Christ, pardons a repentant sinner in the sacrament of penance

Act of Contrition

A prayer that expresses sorrow for sins

Contrition

Heartfelt sorrow for sins committed, along with the intention of sinning no more - most important act of penitents necessary for receiving absolution

Examination of Conscience

An honest self-assessment of how well you have lived God’s covenant of love, leading you to accept responsibility for your sins and to realize your need for God’s merciful forgiveness

Excommunication

A serious penalty that means a baptized person is no longer “in communion” with the Catholic Church

Moral Object

A term for the material or content of a moral action, whether good, evil, or neutral. If the moral object of an act is evil, then the act is evil.

Mortal sin

A serious, deadly violation of God’s law of love that destroys sanctifying grace in the soul of the sinner. Involve grave matter, full knowledge of the evil done, and full consent of the will.

Sacramental Seal

The secrecy priests are bound to keep regarding any sins confessed to them.

Penitent

A person who admits his/her sins, is truly sorry for having sinned, and wishes to be restored to relationship with God and the church

Perfect Contrition - “Contrition of Charity”

Sorrow for sin because you love God and want to be in a relationship with him

Imperfect Contrition - “Attrition”

Sorrow for sin because you fear punishment or perceive the ugliness of sin

What are the three conditions necessary for a sin to be mortal?

1. Must be of a grave matter

2. Must be committed with full knowledge that it is a mortal sin

3. Must be committed with full consent

What is included in an examination of conscience? (IDK)

• Review of life since last confession

• Measure your actions using tools like the Ten Commandments or Beatitudes

• Self-assessment

What are the effects?

• Forgiveness of mortal and or venial sins

• Strength to resist future sins

• Reunification with the God and His Church

• Cleansing of Conscience

• Restoration of Sanctifying Grace

Write out the passage of Scripture used in the understanding of the theology of the sacrament of penance

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20:22-23)

Aside from contrition for our sins, what else must we do to prepare for a proper confession of our sins? (IDK)

• Examination of Conscience

• Identify sins