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Funerals
FAQ |
Sacrament
of Reconciliation
For a number of reasons, it is a
sad reality that the Sacrament of Reconciliation (still known by many
as "confession") has fallen into profound disuse within Roman Catholic
parishes. In fact, one Woonsocket parish within the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Providence when renovating, did away with the confessional
/ reconciliation room altogether. It is a mystery if it was ever put
back in place. Such is the reality of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Please recall that the individual confession of sins was an innovation
of the church during the Middle Ages, prior to that time, it did not
exist, nor did Christ command it upon his disciples.
There are a number of reasons why "confession" has fallen into disuse
and arguments are made on both sides of the issue, but for our
discussion, suffice it to say, most priests have very short lines for
confessions these days.
One of the first measures introduced into our church upon the Roman
Catholic Bishop Duarte Costa resigning his Roman Catholic diocesan
assignment in Brazil was the introduction of "general absolution" of
all sin as being part of the Mass in place of the traditional
penitential rite. (His first innovation, by the way, was changing the
Mass from Latin into the vernacular.) This change was thought
revolutionary in the 1940's, but reflected even them the uneasiness
people had with the sacrament and the realization that Christ never
promulgated oral confession of sin.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is alive, well, and celebrated within
Saint Patrick's parish in keeping with the example set for us by our
beloved founder, Bishop Duarte Costa.
First, at the beginning of every Mass, a
pronouncement of absolution is added to complete the Penitential Rite.
The absolution received does forgive all earthly sin provided the
person receiving this absolution is sorry for their sins and does
desire to be forgiven. No private confession of sin is necessary
beyond the absolution received at Mass to achieve the desired
forgiveness of all sins.
Secondly, two communal celebrations of the
Sacrament of Reconciliation occur yearly at Saint Patrick's. The first
celebration occurs during Advent (in preparation for Christmas) and
the second during Lent (in preparation for Easter). These occur to
address the parish need of more detailed examination of conscience and
time is provided for individual council from the parish priest. At the
conclusion of the evening, each person approaches the priest and is
asked if they are sorry for their sins. Responding to the affirmative,
each person received an individual pronouncement of absolution,
whether or not they sought out the individual council of the priest.
Lastly, individual confession is always
available to those who desire it. It is usually reserved for
individuals who have had an ongoing problem in their relationship with
God and desire to receive helpful advice in the living out of their
Christianity. Penance and Absolution are pronounced at the conclusion
of the celebration. There are no "reserved" sins as this is a human
innovation. The Lord never limited authority given to the disciples,
and therefore by virtue of ordination passed on to bishop and priests,
to forgive anyone who is genuinely sorry.
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