Sacrament of Reconciliation

Download the Sacrament of Reconciliation

¶ The Gathering

In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord Jesus, who came to reconcile sinners,
welcomes all who are penitent. Grace, mercy and peace be with you
and also with you.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1.8,9

The priest and penitent say together

Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51.1,2,11

¶ Confession and Counsel

The Lord be in your heart and on your lips
that you may truly and humbly confess your sins.

The penitent makes confession of sins in his or her own words, beginning

Almighty God, long-suffering and of great goodness: I confess to you, I confess with my whole heart my neglect and forgetfulness of your commandments, my wrong doing, thinking, and speaking; the hurts I have done to others, and the good I have left undone.

In particular I confess [since my last confession in … / in this my first confession] …

O God, for these, and all other sins that I cannot now remember, I ask your forgiveness.
Forgive me, for I have sinned against you;
and raise me to newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The priest may give appropriate counsel or guidance and whatever help is necessary to enable the penitent to complete his or her confession. The priest encourages the penitent to make restitution, and may recommend some prayer or action as a sign of repentance and in thanksgiving for reconciliation

¶ Reconciliation

The penitent makes an act of contrition using these or similar words

My God, for love of you
I desire to hate and forsake all sins
by which I have ever displeased you;
and I resolve by the help of your grace
to commit them no more;
and to avoid all opportunities of sin.
Help me to do this,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

¶ Absolution

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has left power to his Church to absolve all sinners who truly repent and believe in him, of his great mercy forgive you your offences: and by his authority committed to me, I absolve you from all your sins, in the name of the +Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

And of your charity, pray for me, a sinner also.

The priest may say

Merciful Lord,
we thank you that you have delivered this your servant from the power of sin and restored him/her to your peace in the fellowship of your Church;
strengthen him/her by your Spirit, that he/she may please you until he/she comes to the fullness of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

God of grace and life, in your love you have given us a place among your people; keep us faithful to our baptism, and prepare us for that glorious day
when the whole creation will be made perfect
in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

¶ The Lord’s Prayer

The priest and penitent may say the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

¶ The Dismissal

The priest may say a blessing

May Christ, who out of defeat brings new hope and a new future, fill you with his new life;
and the blessing of God almighty, the +Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.

(or)

May God, who in Christ has reconciled all things in heaven and earth, grant you grace to walk the path of forgiveness; and the blessing of God almighty,
the +Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.

The Lord has put away your sins.
Thanks be to God.

Go in peace, and pray for me, a sinner also.

The Penitent may then depart and undertake the penance or thanksgiving suggested to them