Reconciliation
Reconciliation, also called Confession or the Sacrament of Penance, is one of the seven sacraments Catholics believe were instituted by Jesus Christ himself. In the case of Confession, the institution first appears on Easter Sunday when Christ speaks to the apostles after his Resurrection.
JOHN 20:22-23
Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.
Confessions are Heard
St Francis of Assisi
Saturday
10:00 before Mass
St Edward the Confessor
Saturday
11:00 – 11:30 and 17:30 – 18:00
Tuesday
18:00 – 18:30
Please contact the Priest if you wish to make an appointment at another time.
St Francis: ppharris@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
St Edwards and St Marks: canondavid@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
All Sacraments Need Preparation
To prepare for an individual confession you are advised to first thoroughly examine your conscience and bring to mind all those times where you may have sinned, mortally or venially, since your last confession. After you have told God of your sorrow, you may enter the confessional, kneel or sit and begin the sacrament by making the sign of the cross, saying:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. My last confession was _______ weeks (months, years) ago.”
You will then begin with the most difficult sins you have to list, continuing until you have confessed all you can remember. The priest will then speak and assign you penance in order to have your sins forgiven. When invited, a prayer of sorrow such as the Act of Contrition is appropriate:
“Oh my God, because you are so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you and with your help I will not sin again.”
After the priest grants sacramental forgiveness through the words of absolution, you may join him in making the sign of the cross again. The priest may then say “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good”, to which you answer:
“For His mercy endures forever.”
You are then welcome to leave, being sure to carry out your assigned penance.
1 JOHN 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
