The Catholic Parish of
Saint John Henry Newman
Covering most of East Leeds
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE / RECONCILIATION
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What is Penance?
Penance is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ in which forgiveness of sins, committed after Baptism, is granted through the priest’s absolution, for those with true sorrow who confess their sins. The Priest is said to have the “power of keys”, i.e. the power, granted by Christ to the Church, to forgive sins.
Points to note:
The Sacrament of Penance is also known as the Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation. Penance is not a mere human invention devised by the Church to secure power over people’s consciences. It is the means appointed by Christ for the remission of sins.
People are always free to obey or disobey but once a person has sinned she/he must seek pardon not in conditions of his/her own choosing but those which God has decided. These are embodied in the Sacrament of Penance.
No catholic believes that a priest, however pious, has the power to forgive sins. This is God alone. It is not true that the mere telling of sins is enough to obtain forgiveness. There must be sorrow and a determination to do better.
Summary
Penance is the removal of the one obstacle that keeps the soul away from God.
“As the Father sent me, I also send you.” He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven and those whose sins you shall retain they are retained” John 20:21-23
Before Easter everyone is encourage to try to get to Confession. There will be no Penitential Service in the Parish. In our Parish Confessions are every Saturday
Penance is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ in which forgiveness of sins, committed after Baptism, is granted through the priest’s absolution, for those with true sorrow who confess their sins. The Priest is said to have the “power of keys”, i.e. the power, granted by Christ to the Church, to forgive sins.
Points to note:
The Sacrament of Penance is also known as the Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation. Penance is not a mere human invention devised by the Church to secure power over people’s consciences. It is the means appointed by Christ for the remission of sins.
People are always free to obey or disobey but once a person has sinned she/he must seek pardon not in conditions of his/her own choosing but those which God has decided. These are embodied in the Sacrament of Penance.
No catholic believes that a priest, however pious, has the power to forgive sins. This is God alone. It is not true that the mere telling of sins is enough to obtain forgiveness. There must be sorrow and a determination to do better.
Summary
Penance is the removal of the one obstacle that keeps the soul away from God.
“As the Father sent me, I also send you.” He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven and those whose sins you shall retain they are retained” John 20:21-23
Before Easter everyone is encourage to try to get to Confession. There will be no Penitential Service in the Parish. In our Parish Confessions are every Saturday
St Theresa’s 11.00am – 12 noon Corpus Christi 4.30pm – 5.00pm St Gregory’s 5.30pm – 6.00pm
On the 10th April at St Anne’s Cathedral Leeds Confessions are available from 7.00am – 7.00pm.
An Act of Contrition
O my God, because you are so good, I am sorry that I have sinned against you, and by the help of Your grace I will not sin again.
Published Sun 30th Mar 2014 21:37:07
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