3.2.4

Reconciliation

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Reconciliation

The sacrament of Reconciliation is sometimes called ‘confession’ or ‘penance'. It is also considered a sacrament of conversion because the person is responding to the call of Jesus to return to obedience to God the Father.

Significance

Significance

  • By confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness, Catholics believe they're reconciled with God and with those who were hurt by their sins.
  • Catholics believe the Church was given the power to forgive sins by Christ when he said to Peter, ‘If you forgive anyone’s sins they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them they are not forgiven’ (John 20:23 NIV).
Parts of the sacrament of Reconciliation

Parts of the sacrament of Reconciliation

  • The person confesses their sins.
  • The priest will often offer advice.
  • The person makes an act of contrition, a prayer in which they say they are sorry for their sins.
  • The priest usually gives the penitent a ‘penance’ - an act to perform or prayers to say to help them grow closer to God and reject sinfulness.
  • The priest will say the prayer of absolution (or God’s forgiveness).

Effect of Reconciliation on Catholics’ Lives

Catholics are encouraged to confess their sins regularly to a priest.

Frequency

Frequency

  • Exactly how often the sacrament is to be received is not specified, except that the Church says at least once a year.
  • Many Catholics will seek Reconciliation more often.
  • The priest is bound to keep the confession secret.
Conditions for forgiveness

Conditions for forgiveness

  • For a person to be forgiven for their sins, they must be genuinely sorry.
  • They must also have a firm purpose of amendment, meaning that they honestly intend to try not to sin again.
Effect of Reconciliation

Effect of Reconciliation

  • By making this formal action of receiving the sacrament, Catholics believe that they receive a special grace that helps them try to avoid sinning in the future.
  • It is also believed that when they unburden themselves of their sins in this way, they can experience an inner peace.
Importance

Importance

  • The Catholic Church teaches that it is essential for Catholics to confess their serious sins (or ‘mortal sins’) in this way.
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Reconciliation

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Who do Catholics think they are reconciled with by confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness?True / false
  2. 2
    Key features of the sacrament of Reconciliation: Fill in the list
  3. 3
    What are the other names for the sacrament of Reconciliation?Fill in the list
  4. 4
    How often does the Church say Reconciliation should be received?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What must a person do or feel to be forgiven for their sins?True / false
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Confirmation

Anointing of the Sick