Rogier Van der Weyden: Seven Sacraments alterpiece-detail left wing: Baptism, Confirmation, Penance (ca 1445-1450) Koninklijk Museum Voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, Belgium  Wikimedia

Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick)

Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with Christ in God." We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin.

The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1420 and 1421)

To learn more about the Sacraments of Healing, visit the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ online Catechism of the Catholic Church.
(http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.shtml)

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Penance or Confession, is that moment of grace whereby one receives the forgiveness for sin won by Jesus Christ on the cross. Those who approach the sacrament of Reconciliation 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 #1422)

Celebrating the Sacrament

• The priest greets the penitent.
• The penitent says "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been <state the time since your last confession> since my last confession.
• Since that time, I have <state sin(s) that you wish to confess>." Tell your sins humbly, clearly and entirely. The priest may guide the penitent through the confession of sins, if needed.
• Answer any questions the priest may ask.
• As you are concluding your confession, you may say to the priest, "For these sins, and those I truly do not remember, I ask for your forgiveness and advice."
• The priest may offer counsel to help the penitent identify patterns of sin and the habitual struggles that may be leading to sin. He may encourage the penitent and suggest ways to overcome these habitual areas of sin.
• The priest will offer penance to the penitent.
• The penitent then says an Act of Contrition, similar to one of the prayers below, that expresses that you:
  • recognize your sinful nature
  • express sorrow for your sins
  • ask the Lord for the grace to overcome occasions of sin

[If you can't remember the prayers or need help with them, the priest will help you . There are also sample Acts of Contrition cards in the Confessional that you may use.]
 

• The priest will grant absolution for your sins and say "Go in peace and sin no more."
• The penitent is expected to do the penance assigned by the priest.

Acts of Contrition

Option #1
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you
and I detest all of my sins because of your just
punishment, but most of all because they have offended
you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all of
my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion or sin. Amen.

Option #2
Oh my God, I am sorry for having offended you. In
choosing to 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.

Option #3
O my God, I am sorry for all the times I have offended
you, in my thoughts, words, works, and omissions. I feel
sorry with all my heart, you being my Creator and
Redeemer and because I have endangered the interests
of your Kingdom. Help my weak will so that I may
never more offend you. I offer you in satisfaction
the sufferings of my life in union with the infinite
merits of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

When is the Sacrament of Reconciliation Offered?
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturdays from 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. (prior to 4:00 p.m. Mass). It is recommended that penitents arrive at the beginning of the time period to ensure adequate opportunity to receive the sacrament.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available by private appointment with the priest. If you would like assistance in gaining peace and healing in your relationships with God and His Church, please contact the Parish Office and ask for a priest.

Our Lady of Peace Parish also offers during Advent and Lent a community penance service with the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Check the parish calendar for dates and times.

Links to Helpful Resources in Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation

• Prayers Before the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Ten Tips for Better Confessions: The Gift of Reconciliation
• Examination of Conscience in Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance

Anointing of the Sick

"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1499)

Anointing of the Sick is one of the two Sacraments of Healing. This sacrament is a powerful and effective sign of Jesus' presence that brings strength and healing to the sick, the elderly and the dying. The celebration of this sacrament can help the sick get well again. When that does not happen, the sacrament helps the sick face their illness with faith and trust. It also helps dying people continue their faith journey to God in heaven.

This sacrament’s name has changed over time. It was once called extreme unction, which means "the last anointing," and has been referred to as part of the "last rites." The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it "the anointing of the sick," (CCC 1511). The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC 1520). These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for "this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’" (Matt. 8:17). The Church exhorts the Christian who is ill to unite with the Passion and Death of Christ.

Anointing of the Sick may be received by any Catholic who is facing a serious illness or is of advanced years. Individuals who are planning to enter the hospital or anticipating out-patient surgery are particularly encouraged to receive the sacrament before their admission or surgery. Please notify the parish office, if you or a loved one desires to receive this sacrament.