Reconciliation Liturgy and Confessions
The common definition of reconciliation as it relates to relationships is ‘The restoration of friendly relations’. The Lord our God is your friend so it makes sense to have the opportunity to confess our sins and have our relationship made anew.
Last Thursday, Year 8 had the opportunity to do this and attend confession if they wished. We were blessed with the presence of our Chaplin Fr. Mark, Fr Janek, Fr Pawel and also Fr. Paul Whielden, who took confession and listened to any thoughts and prayers. The students were given the opportunity to say sorry, make cards, write a letter of forgiveness, offer prayers to our Lady and wash away their sins.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean” and renews us in Christ. We are in the last two weeks of Lent; maybe God is calling us to go to Confession before Holy Week so that we can be forgiven and given a fresh start at Easter.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” (John 20:21-23)