The elements of the celebration are normally these:
A greeting and blessing from the priest
A reading of the word of God to assist with reflecting on wrong doing
The confession, which acknowledges sins and makes them known to the priest
The imposition and acceptance of a penance
The priest’s absolution
A prayer of thanksgiving and praise
Dismissal with the blessing of the priest.
These elements can be categorised into four parts:
Contrition:This is the preparation for receiving the Sacrament. You must think about what you have done which is wrong and be truly sorry. You may choose to consider the Ten Commandments and whether you have behaved contrary to God’s law.
Click here for more guidance on how to reflect on what you should confess.
Confession: Once the priest has welcomed you, you introduce yourself, by using these words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ____ weeks/ months/years since my last confession.” You then confess the wrong doings you have committed, being as open as possible.
Act of Penance: The priest will listen to you and offer you some advice for the way to avoid repeating what you have done previously. He may also give you a simple “penance,” which may take the form of prayer and/or performing some other fitting action. This helps penitents to overcome their faults, and make amends for the harm their sins have caused. The priest then asks you to pray an Act of Contrition (Prayer of Sorrow).
Click here for the words which could be used in your child’s ceremony.
Absolution: After the penitent accepts the penance, the priest, representing the community of the Church and acting in the person of Christ absolves you, by extending his hands over your head and praying the Prayer of Absolution. He grants God's forgiveness and restores the relationship between you and God's family.
A greeting and blessing from the priest
A reading of the word of God to assist with reflecting on wrong doing
The confession, which acknowledges sins and makes them known to the priest
The imposition and acceptance of a penance
The priest’s absolution
A prayer of thanksgiving and praise
Dismissal with the blessing of the priest.
These elements can be categorised into four parts:
Contrition:This is the preparation for receiving the Sacrament. You must think about what you have done which is wrong and be truly sorry. You may choose to consider the Ten Commandments and whether you have behaved contrary to God’s law.
Click here for more guidance on how to reflect on what you should confess.
Confession: Once the priest has welcomed you, you introduce yourself, by using these words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ____ weeks/ months/years since my last confession.” You then confess the wrong doings you have committed, being as open as possible.
Act of Penance: The priest will listen to you and offer you some advice for the way to avoid repeating what you have done previously. He may also give you a simple “penance,” which may take the form of prayer and/or performing some other fitting action. This helps penitents to overcome their faults, and make amends for the harm their sins have caused. The priest then asks you to pray an Act of Contrition (Prayer of Sorrow).
Click here for the words which could be used in your child’s ceremony.
Absolution: After the penitent accepts the penance, the priest, representing the community of the Church and acting in the person of Christ absolves you, by extending his hands over your head and praying the Prayer of Absolution. He grants God's forgiveness and restores the relationship between you and God's family.