SACRAMENT OF HEALING

Healing both of soul and body has always been part of the Christian concern. During His life, Jesus spent much time healing the sick and befriending the sinner. The church today continues this healing mission of Christ through the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the sacrament of Reconciliation (Sr. Charlene Altemose, MSC)

Penance
Sacrament by which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the priest. Penance is not only a sign of this reconciliation, of our being made whole again and our need for it but it actually causes and brings this about.
My First Catechism; Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI; Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, Paranaque, M. Manila; 1991; page 99

General Absolution The form of sacramental forgiveness of sins given when individual confession by a large number of people is not possible.

Biblical Foundation
Jesus instituted the sacrament when He said to the apostles: As the Father sent me, so I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained. (John 20:22-23)1

My First Catechism; Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI; Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, Paranaque, M. Manila; 1991; page 99

Biblical Foundation
Jesus also said to the apostles: Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. (Jn 20:21-23)

My Catholic Fatih; page 316

Biblical Foundation
All of us need the Sacrament of Penance because we are all sinners. Scripture says: If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isnt in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, He can always be trusted to forgive us and our sins away. (1 Jn 1:8-9) 1

1 Youth Bible (Global Edition), Bible Society of Brazil copyright United Bible Socities 2004, page 1063

Biblical Foundation
We cannot say that there is no need to confess our sins to the priest, and that we can confess our sins straight to God. Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to Peter, the apostles and their successors when He said: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven. (Mt 16:19)

My First Catechism; Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI; Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, Paranaque, M. Manila; 1991; page 99

Parable of the Prodigal Son

(Lk 15:11-24)
Jesus continued: There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate. So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, How many of my fathers hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. So he got up and went to his father.But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Lets have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
1 My First Catechism; Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI; Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, Paranaque, M. Manila; 1991; page 100

Minister Recipient Penitent bishops & priests (power Every Christian Catholic to can forgive is given to receive the priests during ordination) Sacrament of Penance, provided he regrets his Special case: priests not who sins and promises areto sin excommunicated/ again. married/ separated from Church can administer penance only in danger of death
My First Catechism; page 101

The Sacrament of Penance was instituted by Christ for the remission of Penance was instituted by Christ for the remission of sins committed after baptism. Hence, no unbaptized person, however deep and sincere his sorrow, can be validly absolved. Baptism, in other words, is the first essential requisite on the part of the penitent. One must first be a member of the Church before he can submit himself and his sins to the judicial process of sacramental Penance.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11618c.htm

Certain grave sins are reserved to the Pope or bishop for absolution. These are called reserved cases, as when one desecrates a sacred Host.

My Catholic Faith; page 317

What is the difference of form and matter? Form formula of words Matter external thing or action 1

The Catechism of Trent states: "Every Sacrament consists of two things, matter, which is called the element, and form, which is commonly called the word.2

1 My First Catechism; page 266 2 I Confess, The Sacrament of Penance Today; Francis J. Buckley, S.J.

Form According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, the form of Penance was "I absolve thee.1

Absolution - I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.2

Matter According to St. Thomas (Summa Theologi III.74.2) "the acts of the penitent are the proximate matter of this sacrament".

confession of the penitent and his/her penance which is the satisfaction made for the sins3
1I Confess, The Sacrament of Penance Today; Francis J. Buckley, S.J. 2 My First Catechism; page 317 3 http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11618c.htm

Effects
1. Forgiveness of sins Penance remits the guilt of sins. 2. Remission of eternal punishment and part of temporal punishment those who confess their sins receive God's mercy for their sins. 3. Help to avoid sin in the future gives the penitent the strength by which he may overcome temptation and lead a good life
My Catholic Fatih; page 317 I Confess, The Sacrament of Penance Today; Francis J. Buckley SJ Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1496 My First Catecihsm; page 101

4. Reconciliation with God renews a persons communion with God, which was lost when sin was committed 5. Reconciliation with the Church When we sin, we destroy the unity and harmony of the members of the Church. The priest represents the Church which we are reconciled to.
My Catholic Fatih; page 317 I Confess, The Sacrament of Penance Today; Francis J. Buckley SJ Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1496 My First Catecihsm; page 101

Call to Mission
In the Act of Contrition which is said by the penitent to the priest, a part of it is I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. This is the call to mission of Penance. Sinning no more sincere resolve not only to avoid sin but to avoid as far as possible the near occasion of sin
Basic Catechism; Fr. M. Guzman; Manila, Philippines; 2000; page 64 http://www.churchofpresentation.org/act_of_contrition.htm

Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance, Christ calls us to continuous renewal and personal, interior liberation.

Your Faith and You; A Synthesis of Catholic Belief; James Finley, Michael Pennock; Ave Maria Press; 1970

Rites
From My First Catecihsm; page 104 Act of Contrition from http://www.churchofpresentation.org/act_of_contrition.htm

Confession of Sins
Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Penitent: Amen. Priest: May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you know your sins and trust in His mercy. Penitent: Father, forgive me for I have sinned. My last confession wasMy sins are (penitent says his sins and priest talks to penitent)

Penance
Priest gives an act of penance which the penitent must do. Penitent: My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

Absolution
Priest: God, Father of Mercies, through the
death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the mystery of the Church may God give you pardon and peace. And I

absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Penitent: Amen. Priest: The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace. Penitent: Thanks be to God.