225 RECONCILATION, FORGIVENESS, CONVERSION, CONFESSION

YOUCAT Lesson 225

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

225  What names are there for the sacrament of Penance?

The sacrament of Penance is also called the sacrament of Reconciliation, of forgiveness, of conversion, or confession.  [1422-1424]  67

…….Painting: …..The Meal at the House of Simon the Pharisee, c. 15th century. .....225

The Pardon of the Sinful Woman.

 Luke  7: 48       He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”  But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous but sinners.”  Mark 2:17

THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

…..1422   "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."(Lumen Gentium 11 § 2.)⁴ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED?

……..1423   It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father(compare Mark 1:15; Luke 15:18.)⁵   from whom one has strayed by sin.

It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction. --CCC

…..1424   It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a "confession" - acknowledgment and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.--CCC