Reconciliation

What is Reconciliation?

"[Jesus] said to [his apostles], '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 20:22-23

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "To the eyes of faith no evil is greater than sin and nothing has worse consequences for siners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world. To return to communion with God...is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy..." (1488, 1489) God desires that all be united with him, both during their time on earth and in heaven. For a person to receive this sacrament, they must be sorry for their sins and have a true intention of sinning no more.

This sacrament is called:
     Reconciliation. We are reconciled to Christ after we receive this sacrament.
     Confession. The confession of sins is on epart of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
     Penance. After the confesion of sins, the priest gives a penance to the penitent in order to facilitate his return to right
     relationship with God, the Church, and him/herself.

A person can write their name with a pen, and the pen truly does the writing at the will of the person using it. In the same way, God has chosen his ordained bishops and priests to forgive sins in the name of the Father, the Son, the and Holy Spirit. They are the instrument which God uses to "write" forgiveness on the souls of all who earnestly ask or it.


Reconciliation at St. Elizabeth Seton

Click here to see times when Confession is regularly offered.

You may also contact one of the priests to schedule an appointment for Confession.

Children prepare for and receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation prior to their preparation for their first reception of the Eucharist. For more information, see the Sacramental Preparation on the Youth Formation page.