Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. [Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1422]

The sacrament of Reconciliation is also known as Confession or Penance and is one of the sacraments of healing. In the sacrament of Reconciliation we ask God for spiritual healing by confessing our sins to God through a priest. When the priest gives us absolution our sins are washed away and we are filled with sanctifying grace.

Any baptized Catholic over the age of reason (seven years old). At Notre Dame, children begin to prepare for the Sacrament in the second grade.

Normally children age seven or older who are preparing for their First Communion need to make their first Reconciliation before hand. Please contact the Religious Education office for details.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at Notre Dame every Saturday at 8:30 AM and again Saturday Evening at 7:30 PM. You may also call the Parish Office and make an appointment.

Most churches nowadays give you the option of making your confession face to face with the priest or kneeling behind a screen for privacy. It is your choice. At Notre Dame Parish we offer both options. The northwest confessionals have the option of face to face or kneeling behind a curtain. The southwest confessional has a screen you kneel behind.

A minimum of once a year, but more frequent confessions are recommended. Whenever a person is in a state of mortal sin they should go to confession as soon as possible.

All mortal sins must be confessed. Venial sins do not need to be confessed, but it is good to confess them also. A mortal sin is a serious sin in which the person intentionally performs, such as stealing, adultery, murder, intentionally missing Sunday mass, premarital sex. A venial sin is a less serious sin usually committed unintentionally.

First pray before hand and do an examination of conscience in which we try to recall all our sins. When ready, enter the confessional and tell the priest how long it has been since your last confession. Then confess these sins to a priest, who will give you a penance to perform. The priest will ask you to make an act of contrition and then he will give you absolution. After you leave the confessional, perform your penances.

If you forget how do make your confession or how to make an act of contrition, do not worry. The priest will help you out.

There are different techniques that can be used to examine our consciences. A good one is to go through the Ten Commandments and see how well we have followed them.

Have I left the Catholic Church and joined another denomination?

Have I practiced witchcraft or black magic?

Have I engaged in superstitious behavior?

Do I put faith in horoscopes or palm readers?

Do I frivolously use the Lord’s name in anger or as a curse word?

Have I intentionally cursed someone and wished him or her damned to Hell?

Have I intentionally missed Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation?

Do I needlessly work on Sundays instead of spending time with my family?

Have I treated my parents with respect?

Do I obey their wishes?

Have I intentionally taken an innocent human life?

Have I recklessly put my life or the lives of those around me in needless danger?

Have I seriously wished for someone to die or to be harmed?

Have I had sex with someone to whom I am not married?

Have I had premarital or extramarital sex?

Have I masturbated?

Have I looked at pornography or watched any sexually risqué movies?

Have I taken anything without permission?

Have I taken money or equipment or supplies from work?

Do I pay my employees an honest day’s wage?

Do I put in an honest day’s work?

Have I lied?

Have I tried to get someone into trouble by not telling the full truth?

Have I needlessly gossiped about others?

Have I spread rumors or innuendo?

Have I entertained lustful thoughts about another person?

Have I participated in sexual innuendos or dirty jokes?

Have I treated others as objects whose only purpose is to please me?

Do I wear clothes that are risqué with the intent of arousing others?

Am I envious of other people’s possessions?

Am I jealous of other people?

Am I not satisfied with what I have?

There are several different prayers of contrition which express our sorrow for sinning and our sincere desire not to sin again. Here are a couple prayers of contrition.

Oh my God, I am heartfully sorry for having offended you.

I detest all my sins because of your just punishment

But most of all because they offend you

Who are good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve with the help of your thy grace

To sin no more and to avoid the narrow occasion of sin.

Amen.

Or

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,

I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more,

And to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.

In His name, my God, have mercy.

Amen.

Or

O my God,

I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you.

I know I should love you above all things.

Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin.

Amen.

Or

Any heartfelt prayer that tells God that you are sorry for all your sins and that you intend to avoid whatever leads you into to sin.

Absolution is the prayer that the priest prays over you at the end of your confession. When the priest prays this prayer all of your sins are forgiven, even the ones you may have forgotten. Also God fills you with His sanctifying grace that helps you be Holy. Sanctifying Grace helps you avoid falling into sin and it helps you to be more like Christ in your daily life.