Reconciliation
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Confession Times
- Saturday, 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM
- St. Athanasius Church- By appointment with Clergy.
Please call the collaborative office at 781-944-0490 to schedule.
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“The Church must be a place of mercy freely given,
where everyone can feel welcomed,
loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel.”
–Pope Francis, (The Joy of the Gospel, 114)
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Why should I go?
Jesus deeply desires a personal, daily relationship with each one of us, to give us the love of the Father, that we may live in His peace and grace forever. But all of the little (and not-so-little) ways we turn from Him chip away at the relationship we have with the Lord. Jesus wants to mend our relationship with Him, but He needs us to say ‘yes.’
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Before Confession
Pray and PrepareConfession can seem intimidating for a lot of people, but with some simple preparation, it can be a healing encounter with Christ that will leave you filled with peace.
PRAY that God will give you peace and help you make a good confession
REFLECT on ways you have harmed your relationshgip with God, Yourself and Others.
Here's a resource for an Examination of Conscience: One for adults and one for children.
For Adults
For ChildrenDuring Confession
How do I go to Confession?Greeting: The priest will welcome you; he may say a short blessing or read a Scripture passage.
Sign of the Cross: Together, you and the priest will make the Sign of the Cross. You may then begin your confession with these or similar words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (give weeks, months, or years) since my last confession.”
Confession: Confess all your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are finished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
Penance: The priest will propose an act of penance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy, or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life.
Act of Contrition: Say an Act of Contrition, expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving to leave sin behind and live more like Jesus Christ!
Absolution: The priest then blesses you in the person of Christ as he says the prayer of Absolution which frees you from your sins.
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After Confession
Go in Peace!
REJOICE - Through the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God has reminded you of His unending love.
RESOLVE to leave sin behind and live in the light of God.
RESPOND follow through with the Penance given, and share God's mercy you received with others.
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Helpful Links
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The Act of Contrition is a powerful prayer of penance that is prayed after confessing one's sins to a priest in confession. After making an act of contrition, the priest will grant absolution to the penitent, absolving him/her of their sins by the grace of God.There are many different versions of the Act of Contrition. Here are a few:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments,
but most of all, because they offend Thee, my God,
Who art all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more
and to avoid in the near occasion of sin. Amen.
ORO my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell;
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins, to do penance,
and to amend my life. Amen.
OR
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.
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