Theology of Reconciliation

In the course of our journey toward the kingdom of God, at times, we turn away from our lifetime goal to do God’s will.  Often, we fail in loving God and our neighbors, and we sin.  The Church responds to the situation of personal sin with a sign of God’s forgiveness and healing, the sacrament of Reconciliation.  Through our celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, our loving relationship with Christ and the Church is restored.  People who acknowledge their sinfulness, who express sorrow in their hearts, and who seek to change and make a new start have already begun the process of sacramental forgiveness. 

A person may receive the sacrament of Reconciliation in three ways:  through individual confession, in a communal penance service that includes individual confessions, and in a communal service that includes general absolution in emergencies.  A communal penance service emphasizes our intimate connection to a community of believers and our need to be reconciled with both the community and the Lord. (CC 1431, 1440, Exploring Our Catholic Faith, Benzinger)