CHAPTER TWO
The Sacraments Of Healing

CAPUT SECUNDUM 
SACRAMENTA SANATIONIS

1420 Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life “in earthen vessels,” and it remains “hidden with Christ in God.” (¹ 2 Cor 4:7; Col 3:3) We are still in our “earthly tent,” subject to suffering, illness, and death. (² 2 Cor 5:1) This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin.

1420 Per initiationis christianae sacramenta, homo vitam Christi recipit novam. Hanc autem vitam « in vasis fictilibus » (2 Cor 4,7) gestamus. Nunc ea adhuc « abscondita est cum Christo in Deo » (Col 3,3). Adhuc sumus in terrestri domo nostra,¹ dolori, aegritudini et morti submissa. Haec nova filii Dei vita potest debilitari et etiam amitti per peccatum.

1421 The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, (³ Cf. Mk 2:1-12) has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

1421 Dominus Iesus Christus, medicus nostrarum animarum nostrorumque corporum, qui paralytico peccata remisit et salutem reddidit corporis,² voluit Ecclesiam Suam, Spiritus Sancti virtute, Eius opus sanationis prosequi et salutis, etiam relate ad sua propria membra. Hic est duorum sacramentorum sanationis scopus: sacramenti Poenitentiae et Unctionis infirmorum.

Sacr.Pen

THE SACRAMENT
of PENANCE
and  RECONCILIATION
  

 Confession, 1780,   Longi, Uffizi

ARTICLE 4 :THE SACRAMENT of PENANCE and RECONCILIATION

ARTICULUS 4 
SACRAMENTUM POENITENTIAE ET RECONCILIATIONIS

[1] PARDON from GOD;
[2] RECONCILIATION with the CHURCH

[1] obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him,

[1] 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.” (⁴ LG 11 § 2 AAS 57 (1965) 15)

et simul reconciliantur cum Ecclesia, quam peccando vulneraverunt, et quae eorum conversioni caritate, exemplo, precibus adlaborat ».³

I. WHAT IS THIS SACRAMENT CALLED?

I. Quomodo hoc sacramentum appellatur?
 

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 (⁵ Cf. Mk 1:15; Lk 15:18) from whom one has strayed by sin.

1423 Conversionis sacramentum appellatur, propterea quod sacramentaliter vocationem Iesu ad conversionem deducit in rem,⁴ consilium nempe redeundi ad Patrem⁵ a quo quis per peccatum se elongavit.

IT is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.

Poenitentiae sacramentum appellatur, propterea quod iter consecrat personale et ecclesiale conversionis, poenitentiae et satisfactionis christiani peccatoris.

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.

1424 Confessionis sacramentum appellatur, propterea quod declaratio, confessio peccatorum coram sacerdote elementum est essentiale huius sacramenti. Sensu quodam profundo, sacramentum etiam « confessio » est, agnitio et laus sanctitatis Dei et misericordiae Eius erga hominem peccatorem.

IT is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.” (⁶ OP 46 formula of absolution55 (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis 1974) p. 27. 37.)

Indulgentiae sacramentum appellatur, propterea quod per sacramentalem sacerdotis absolutionem, Deus poenitenti tribuit « indulgentiam [...] et pacem ».⁶

IT is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the live of God who reconciles: “Be reconciled to God.” (⁷ 2 Cor 5:20) He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother.” (⁸ Mt 5:24)

Reconciliationis sacramentum appellatur, quia peccatori amorem praebet Dei qui reconciliat: « Reconciliamini Deo » (2 Cor 5,20). Qui ex amore Dei vivit misericorde, est promptus ut vocationi Domini respondeat: « Vade prius, reconciliare fratri tuo » (Mt 5,24).

II. WHY A SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION AFTER BAPTISM?

II. Cur sacramentum quoddam Reconciliationis post Baptismum?

1425 “YOU were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (⁹ 1 Cor 6:11) One must appreciate the magnitude of the gift God has given us in the sacraments of Christian initiation in order to grasp the degree to which sin is excluded for him who has “put on Christ.” (¹⁰ Gal 3:27) But the apostle John also says: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (¹¹ 1 Jn 1:8) And the Lord himself taught us to pray: “Forgive us our trespasses,” (¹² Cf. Lk 11:4; Mt 6:12) linking our forgiveness of one another’s offenses to the forgiveness of our sins that God will grant us.

1425 « Abluti estis, [...] sanctificati estis, [...] iustificati estis in nomine Domini Iesu Christi et in Spiritu Dei nostri! » (1 Cor 6,11). Oportet conscios esse magnitudinis doni Dei quod nobis in initiationis christianae sacramentis concessum est, ad intelligendum quousque peccatum res sit aliena pro eo qui Christum induit.⁷ Sed sanctus apostolus Ioannes etiam scribit: « Si dixerimus quoniam peccatum non habemus, nosmetipsos seducimus, et veritas in nobis non est » (1 Io 1,8). Atque Ipse Dominus nos docuit orare: « Dimitte nobis peccata nostra » (Lc 11,4), mutuam nostrarum offensionum remissionem coniungens remissioni quam Deus nostris concedet peccatis.

1426 Conversion to Christ, the new birth of Baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Body and Blood of Christ received as food have made us “holy and without blemish,” just as the Church herself, the Bride of Christ, is “holy and without blemish.” (¹³ Eph 1:4; 5:27) Nevertheless the new life received in Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence, which remains in the baptized such that with the help of the grace of Christ they may prove themselves in the struggle of Christian life. (¹⁴ cf. C. of Trent (1546): DS 1515) This is the struggle of conversion directed toward holiness and eternal life to which the Lord never ceases to call us. (¹⁵ cf. C. of Trent (1547): DS 1545; LG 40 AAS 57 (1965) 44-45)

1426 Conversio ad Christum, nova in Baptismo nativitas, donum Spiritus Sancti, corpus et sanguis Christi tamquam nutrimentum recepta nos effecerunt sanctos et immaculatos « in conspectu Eius » (Eph 1,4), sicut Ecclesia ipsa, Christi Sponsa, est coram Eo « sancta et immaculata » (Eph 5,27). Tamen vita nova recepta in initiatione christiana fragilitatem et debilitatem naturae humanae non suppressit, neque inclinationem ad peccatum quam traditio concupiscentiam appellat, quae manet in baptizatis ut ipsi suas probationes subeant in vitae christianae proelio, Christi gratia adiuti.⁸ Hoc proelium est illud conversionis propter sanctitatem et vitam aeternam ad quam Dominus nos incessanter vocat.⁹

III. THE CONVERSION OF THE BAPTIZED

III. Baptizatorum conversio

1427 JESUS calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” (¹⁶ Mk 1:15) In the Church’s preaching this call is addressed first to those who do not yet know Christ and his Gospel. Also, Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental conversion. It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism (¹⁷ Cf. Acts 2:38) that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life.

1427 Iesus ad conversionem vocat. Haec vocatio pars essentialis est annuntiationis Regni: « Impletum est tempus, et appropinquavit Regnum Dei; paenitemini et credite Evangelio » (Mc 1,15). In Ecclesiae praedicatione haec vocatio dirigitur imprimis ad illos qui nondum Christum et Eius Evangelium cognoscunt. Sic Baptismus locus est praecipuus primae et fundamentalis conversionis. Per fidem in Bonum Nuntium et per Baptismum fit¹⁰ mali abrenuntiatio et acquiritur salus, id est omnium peccatorum remissio et vitae novae donum.

1428 Christ’s call to conversion continues to resound in the lives of Christians. This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church who, “clasping sinners to her bosom, [is] at once holy and always in need of purification, [and] follows constantly the path of penance and renewal.” (¹⁸ LG 8 § 3: AAS 57 (1965) 12) This endeavor of conversion is not just a human work. It is the movement of a “contrite heart,” drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first. (¹⁹ Ps 51:17; cf. Jn 6:44; 12:32; 1 Jn 4:10)

1428 Vocatio igitur Christi ad conversionem in christianorum vita resonare pergit. Haec secunda conversio munus est non interrumptum pro tota Ecclesia quae « in proprio sinu peccatores complectens, sancta simul et semper purificanda, poenitentiam et renovationem continuo prosequitur ».¹¹ Hic conversionis nisus opus solummodo humanum non est. Motus est « cordis contriti »¹² gratia attracti et permoti¹³ ut amori respondeat misericordi Dei qui prior nos dilexit.¹⁴

1429 St. Peter’s conversion after he had denied his master three times bears witness to this. Jesus’ look of infinite mercy drew tears of repentance from Peter and, after the Lord’s resurrection, a threefold affirmation of love for him. (²⁰ Cf. Lk 22:61; Jn 21:15-17) The second conversion also has a communitarian dimension, as is clear in the Lord’s call to a whole Church: “Repent!” (²¹ Rev 2:5,16)

1429 Sancti Petri post triplicem sui Magistri negationem conversio id testatur. Intuitus infinitae misericordiae Iesu lacrimas provocat poenitentiae¹⁵ et, post resurrectionem Domini, triplicem affirmationem illius amoris erga Eum.¹⁶ Secunda conversio etiam rationem habet communitariam. Hoc apparet in vocatione Domini ad quamdam integram Ecclesiam: « Age poenitentiam! » (Apc 2,5.16).

St. Ambrose says of the two conversions that, in the Church, “there are water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance.” (²² St. Ambrose, ep. 41,12: CSEL 823, 152 PL 16,1116)

Sanctus Ambrosius de duabus conversionibus dicit: « Ecclesia autem et aquam habet, et lacrimas habet, aquam Baptismatis, lacrimas Poenitentiae ».¹⁷

IV. INTERIOR PENANCE

IV. Interior poenitentia

1430 JESUS’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, “sackcloth and ashes,” fasting and mortification, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance. (²³ Cf. Joel 2:12-13; Isa 1:16-17; Mt 6:1-6; 16-18)

1430 Sicut iam apud Prophetas, vocatio Iesu ad conversionem et ad poenitentiam opera externa non intendit primario, « saccum et cinerem », ieiunia et mortificationes, sed conversionem cordis, interiorem poenitentiam. Sine hac, opera poenitentiae infructuosa manent et mendacia; e contra, interior conversio ad huius habitus impellit expressionem in signis visibilibus, in gestibus et in poenitentiae operibus.¹⁸

1431 Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart). (²⁴ Cf. Council Of Trent (1551): DS 1676-1678; 1705; Cf. Roman Catechism, II,V,4)

1431 Poenitentia interior est radicalis totius vitae nova directio, reditus, e toto nostro corde ad Deum conversio, cessatio a peccato, aversio a malo, una cum repugnantia erga malas actiones quas commiserimus. Simul implicat optatum et resolutionem mutandi vitam cum misericordiae divinae spe et cum fiducia in adiutorium gratiae Eius. Hanc cordis conversionem dolor et tristia comitantur salutares quae a Patribus animi cruciatus, compunctio cordis appellantur.¹⁹

1432 The human heart is heavy and hardened. God must give man a new heart. (²⁵ Cf. Ezek 36:26-27) Conversion is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our hearts return to him: “Restore us to thyself, O LORD, that we may be restored!” (²⁶ Lam 5:21) God gives us the strength to begin anew. It is in discovering the greatness of God’s love that our heart is shaken by the horror and weight of sin and begins to fear offending God by sin and being separated from him. The human heart is converted by looking upon him whom our sins have pierced: (²⁷ Cf. Jn 19:37; Zech 12:10)

1432 Hominis cor grave est et induratum. Oportet ut Deus cor homini indat novum.²⁰ Conversio est imprimis opus gratiae Dei qui efficit ut corda nostra redeant ad Ipsum: « Converte nos, Domine, ad Te, et convertemur » (Lam 5,21). Deus nobis vim donat ut iterum incipiamus. Cor nostrum, amoris Dei detegens magnitudinem, horrore et pondere concutitur peccati et ne Deum peccato offendat et ab Eo separetur timere incipit. Cor humanum convertitur, in Eum respiciens quem peccata nostra transfixerunt.²¹

Let us fix our eyes on Christ’s blood and understand how precious it is to his Father, for, poured out for our salvation it has brought to the whole world the grace of repentance. (²⁸ St. Clement of Rome, Ad Cor. 7,4: SC 167, 110 (Funk 1, 108).PG 1,224)

« Sanguinem Christi intentis oculis intueamur et cognoscamus, quam pretiosus sit Deo et Patri Eius, qui propter nostram salutem effusus toti mundo paenitentiae gratiam obtulit ».²²

1433 Since Easter, the Holy Spirit has proved “the world wrong about sin,” (²⁹ Cf. Jn 16:8-9) i.e., proved that the world has not believed in him whom the Father has sent. But this same Spirit who brings sin to light is also the Consoler who gives the human heart grace for repentance and conversion. (³⁰ Cf. Jn 15:26; Acts 2:36-38; John Paul II, DeV 27-48)

1433 Inde a Paschate, Spiritus Sanctus arguit mundum de peccato, quia scilicet non crediderunt in Eum²³ quem Pater misit. Sed Idem Hic Spiritus, qui peccatum detegit, est Consolator²⁴ qui cordi hominis gratiam praebet poenitentiae et conversionis.²⁵

See also Origen, Hom 2 on Lev;   Cassian, Conf. 20.8;   Pseudo-Caesarius

V. THE MANY FORMS OF PENANCE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE

V. Multiplices poenitentiae formae in vita christiana

[1] fasting,
[2] prayer, and
[3] almsgiving, (³¹ Cf. Tob 12:8; Mt 6:1-18)

ieiunio,
orationi,
eleemosynae,²⁶

[1] to oneself,
[2] to God, and
[3] to others.

relate ad se ipsum,
relate ad Deum et
relate ad alios.

[1] Baptism or
[2] martyrdom

Baptismus vel
 martyrium operantur,

[3] effort at reconciliation with one’s neighbor,

[4] tears of repentance,

[5] concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor,

[6] the intercession of the saints,

[7] and the practice of charity “which covers a multitude of sins.” (³² 1 Pet 4:8; Cf. Jas 5:20)

nisus peractos ad se cum proximo reconciliandum,

 poenitentiae lacrimas,

curam pro salute proximi,²⁷

 intercessionem sanctorum

et exercitium caritatis quae « operit multitudinem peccatorum » (1 Pe 4,8).

[8 = 3] gestures of reconciliation,

[9] concern for the poor,

[10] the exercise and defense of justice and right, (³³ Cf. Lam 5:24; Isa 1:17)

[11] by the admission of faults to one’s brethren,

[12]  fraternal correction,

per reconciliationis gestus,

 per curam de pauperibus,

per exercitium et defensionem iustitiae et iuris,²⁸

per defectuum confessionem ad fratres,

correctionem fraternam,

[13] revision of life,

[14] examination of conscience,

[15] spiritual direction,

[16] acceptance of suffering,

[17] endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness.

vitae revisionem,

examen conscientiae,

 spiritualem directionem,

 dolorum acceptationem,

 patientiam in persecutione propter iustitiam.

Taking up one’s cross each day and following Jesus is the surest way of penance. (³⁴ Cf. Lk 9:23)

Tutissima via poenitentiae est propriam crucem quotidie sumere et Iesum sequi.²⁹

1436 EUCHARIST and Penance. Daily conversion and penance find their source and nourishment in the Eucharist, for in it is made present the sacrifice of Christ which has reconciled us with God. Through the Eucharist those who live from the life of Christ are fed and strengthened. “It is a remedy to free us from our daily faults and to preserve us from mortal sins.” (³⁵ Council Of Trent (1551): DS 1638)

1436 Eucharistia et Poenitentia. Conversio et poenitentia quotidianae suum fontem suumque nutrimentum in Eucharistia inveniunt, quia in ea praesens fit Christi sacrificium quod nos cum Deo reconciliavit; per illam nutriuntur et roborantur illi qui ex Christi vivunt vita; ipsa est « antidotum, quo liberemur a culpis quotidianis et a peccatis mortalibus praeservemur ».³⁰

1437 READING Sacred Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father - every sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance within us and contributes to the forgiveness of our sins.

1437 Sacrae Scripturae lectio, precatio liturgiae Horarum et orationis « Pater noster », quilibet sincerus actus cultus vel pietatis in nobis spiritum resuscitant conversionis et poenitentiae et ad nostrorum peccatorum conferunt remissionem.

1438 The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. (³⁶ Cf. SC 109-110; CIC, cann. 1249-1253; CCEO, Cann. 880-883) These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).

1438 Poenitentiae tempora et dies in anni liturgici decursu (tempus quadragesimae, unaquaeque feria sexta in mortis Domini memoriam) momenta sunt praeclara pro praxi poenitentiali Ecclesiae.³¹ Haec tempora sunt praesertim apta pro exercitiis spiritualibus, liturgiis poenitentialibus, peregrinationibus in poenitentiae signum, privationibus voluntariis sicut ieiunio et eleemosyna, fraterna participatione (operibus caritativis et missionalibus).

1439 The process of conversion and repentance was described by Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son, the center of which is the merciful father: (³⁷ Cf. Lk 15:11-24) the fascination of illusory freedom, the abandonment of the father’s house; the extreme misery in which the son finds himself after squandering his fortune; his deep humiliation at finding himself obliged to feed swine, and still worse, at wanting to feed on the husks the pigs ate; his reflection on all he has lost; his repentance and decision to declare himself guilty before his father; the journey back; the father’s generous welcome; the father’s joy - all these are characteristic of the process of conversion. The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive banquet are symbols of that new life - pure worthy, and joyful - of anyone who returns to God and to the bosom of his family, which is the Church. Only the heart Of Christ Who knows the depths of his Father’s love could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful a way.

1439 Conversionis et poenitentiae motus a Iesu mirabiliter descriptus est in parabola quae « filii prodigi » appellatur, cuius centrum est « pater misericors »:³² fallacis libertatis fascinatio, domus paternae derelictio; extrema miseria in qua filius versatur post sua fortunae dona dilapidata, profunda humiliatio illius qui se obligatum perspicit ad porcos pascendos et, quod peius est, ea cupiendi se siliquis nutriri quas porci manducabant; de bonis amissis meditatio; poenitentia et decisio se culpabilem coram patre declarandi suo; reditus via; generosa acceptio apud patrem; gaudium patris: ibi aliquot lineamenta habentur processus conversionis propria. Pulchra vestis, anulus et epulae festivae quaedam sunt symbola huius vitae novae, purae, dignae, laetitia plenae quae vita est hominis revertentis ad Deum et ad sinum familiae Eius, quae est Ecclesia. Solummodo Christi cor quod profunditates cognoscit amoris Patris Sui, potuit abyssum misericordiae Eius, modo ita simplicitate et pulchritudine pleno, nobis revelare.

VI. THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

VI. Sacramentum Poenitentiae et Reconciliationis

1440 SIN is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God’s forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. (³⁸ Cf. LG 11 AAS 57 (1965) 15.)

1440 Peccatum est primario offensio Dei, abruptio communionis cum Eo. Simul Ecclesiae communioni infert detrimentum. Hac de causa, conversio simul indulgentiam Dei et reconciliationem apportat cum Ecclesia, id quod sacramentum Poenitentiae et Reconciliationis liturgice exprimit et efficit.³³

ONLY GOD FORGIVES SIN

Solus Deus peccatum dimittit

1441 ONLY God forgives sins. (³⁹ Cf. Mk 2:7) Since he is the Son of God, Jesus says of himself, “The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” and exercises this divine power: “Your sins are forgiven.” (⁴⁰ Mk 2:5,10; Lk 7:48) Further, by virtue of his divine authority he gives this power to men to exercise in his name. (⁴¹ Cf. Jn 20:21-23)

1441 Solus Deus peccata dimittit.³⁴ Quia Iesus Filius est Dei, dicit de Se Ipso: « Potestatem habet Filius hominis in terra dimittendi peccata » (Mc 2,10) et Ipse hanc divinam exercet potestatem: « Dimittuntur peccata tua » (Mc 2,5).³⁵ Immo: Ipse, virtute Suae auctoritatis divinae, hanc potestatem confert hominibus,³⁶ ut eam in nomine exerceant Eius.

1442 Christ has willed that in her prayer and life and action his whole Church should be the sign and instrument of the forgiveness and reconciliation that he acquired for us at the price of his blood. But he entrusted the exercise of the power of absolution to the apostolic ministry which he charged with the “ministry of reconciliation.” (⁴² 2 Cor 5:18) The apostle is sent out “on behalf of Christ” with “God making his appeal” through him and pleading: “Be reconciled to God.” (⁴³ 2 Cor 5:20)

1442 Christus voluit Suam Ecclesiam totam, in sua oratione, in vita sua et in suis operationibus, signum esse et instrumentum indulgentiae et reconciliationis quas Ipse nobis, Sui sanguinis pretio, acquisivit. Tamen potestatis absolutionis exercitium ministerio concredidit apostolico. Ipsum suscepit « ministerium reconciliationis » (2 Cor 5,18). Apostolus nomine Christi mittitur, et Deus Ipse per illum exhortatur et rogat: « Reconciliamini Deo » (2 Cor 5,20).

Reconciliation with the Church

1443 DURING his public life Jesus not only forgave sins, but also made plain the effect of this forgiveness: he reintegrated forgiven sinners into the community of the People of God from which sin had alienated or even excluded them. A remarkable sign of this is the fact that Jesus receives sinners at his table, a gesture that expresses in an astonishing way both God’s forgiveness and the return to the bosom of the People of God. (⁴⁴ Cf. Lk 15; 19:9)

1443 Iesus, Suae vitae publicae tempore, non solum peccata remisit, sed etiam effectum huius remissionis manifestavit: peccatores quibus remissionem concedebat, in populi Dei iterum redintegravit communitatem, a qua peccatum illos elongaverat vel etiam excluserat. Huius rei signum est conspicuum, Iesum peccatores ad Suam mensam admisisse, immo vero Se eorum mensae accubuisse, qui quidem gestus, modo commoventi, simul exprimit remissionem Dei³⁷ et reditum ad populi Dei sinum.³⁸

1444 In imparting to his apostles his own power to forgive sins the Lord also gives them the authority to reconcile sinners with the Church. This ecclesial dimension of their task is expressed most notably in Christ’s solemn words to Simon Peter: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (⁴⁵ Mt 16:19; cf. Mt 18:18; 28:16-20) “The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of the apostles united to its head.” (⁴⁶ LG 22 § 2 AAS 57 (1965) 26.)

1444 Dominus, Apostolos Suae propriae potestatis peccata dimittendi participes efficiens, illis etiam auctoritatem donat peccatores reconciliandi cum Ecclesia. Haec ecclesialis ratio muneris illorum speciatim exprimitur in sollemnibus Christi ad Petrum verbis: « Tibi dabo claves Regni caelorum; et quodcumque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum in caelis, et quodcumque solveris super terram, erit solutum in caelis » (Mt 16,19). « Illud autem ligandi ac solvendi munus, quod Petro datum est, collegio quoque Apostolorum, suo capiti coniuncto, tributum esse constat (cf Mt 18,18; 28,16-20) ».³⁹

1445 The words bind and loose mean: whomever you exclude from your communion, will be excluded from communion with God; whomever you receive anew into your communion, God will welcome back into his. Reconciliation with the Church is inseparable from reconciliation with God.

1445 Verba ligare et solvere significant: ille, quem vos a vestra excluseritis communione, a communione excludetur cum Deo; Deus eum, quem vos iterum in vestram receperitis communionem, recipiet etiam in Suam. Reconciliatio cum Ecclesia a reconciliatione cum Deo inseparabilis est.

BRIEF HISTORY of the SACRAMENT

The sacrament of forgiveness

1446 CHRIST instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as “the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace.” (⁴⁷ Tertullian, De Paenit. 4,2: CCL 1, 326 PL 1,1343; cf. Council of Trent (1547): DS 1542)

1446 Christus hoc sacramentum Poenitentiae pro omnibus membris Ecclesiae Suae instituit peccatoribus, imprimis pro illis quae, post Baptismum, in peccatum grave ceciderunt et sic gratiam amiserunt baptismalem atque communioni ecclesiali vulnus intulerunt. Hisce sacramentum Poenitentiae novam offert possibilitatem se convertendi et iustificationis gratiam iterum inveniendi. Ecclesiae Patres hoc sacramentum praesentant tamquam salutis « secundam post naufragium deperditae gratiae tabulam ».⁴⁰

1447 Over the centuries the concrete form in which the Church has exercised this power received from the Lord has varied considerably. During the first centuries the reconciliation of Christians who had committed particularly grave sins after their Baptism(for example,

1447 Decursu saeculorum, forma concreta, secundum quam Ecclesia hanc exercuit potestatem a Domino receptam, multum variavit. Per priora saecula, christianorum, qui peccata peculiariter gravia post suum commiserant Baptismum (exempli gratia,

idolatry,
murder, or
adultery)

idololatriam,

homicidium vel

 adulterium),

This new practice

envisioned the possibility of repetition

and so opened the way to a regular frequenting of this sacrament.

It allowed the forgiveness of grave sins and venial sins to be integrated into one sacramental celebration.

In its main lines this is the form of penance that the Church has practiced down to our day.

Haec nova praxis

possibilitatem praevidebat reiterationis

et sic viam aperiebat regulari huius sacramenti frequentationi.

Illa in una celebratione sacramentali complecti permittebat peccatorum gravium et peccatorum venialium remissionem.

In suis magnis lineamentis, haec est Poenitentiae forma quam Ecclesia ad nostros usque dies exsequitur.

1448 Beneath the changes in discipline and celebration that this sacrament has undergone over the centuries, the same fundamental structure is to be discerned. It comprises two equally essential elements:

1448 Per has mutationes, quas disciplina et celebratio huius sacramenti saeculorum decursu expertae sunt, eadem perspicitur structura fundamentalis. Ipsa implicat duo elementa pariter essentialia:

[1] on the one hand, the acts of the man who undergoes conversion through the action of the Holy Spirit: namely,

contrition,

confession,

and satisfaction;

contritionem,
confessionem
et satisfactionem; e

[2] on the other, God’s action through the intervention of the Church.

The Church, who through the bishop and his priests

[2a] forgives sins in the name of Jesus Christ

[2b] and determines the manner of satisfaction,

[2c] also prays for the sinner and does penance with him

1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:

1449 Absolutionis formula, qua Ecclesia latina utitur, elementa huius sacramenti exprimit essentialia: Pater misericordiarum fons est omnis remissionis. Ipse reconciliationem efficit peccatorum per Filii Sui Pascha et per donum Spiritus, per orationem et ministerium Ecclesiae:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry 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.

« Deus, Pater misericordiarum,
qui per mortem et resurrectionem Filii Sui
mundum Sibi reconciliavit
et Spiritum Sanctum effudit
in remissionem peccatorum,
per ministerium Ecclesiae
indulgentiam tibi tribuat et pacem.

 Et ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris,
et Filii,
et Spiritus Sancti ».⁴¹

     (⁴⁸ OP 46: formula of absolution)

VII. THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT

VII. Poenitentis actus

1450 “PENANCE requires . . . the sinner to endure all things willingly, [1] be contrite of heart, [2] confess with the lips, and [3] practice complete humility and fruitful satisfaction.” (⁴⁹ Roman Catechism II,V,21; cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1673)

1450 « Poenitentia cogit peccatorem omnia libenter sufferre; in corde eius contritio, in ore confessio, in opere tota humilitas vel fructifera satisfactio ».⁴²

[VII. 1] CONTRITION

Contritio

1451 AMONG the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is

1451 Inter actus poenitentis, primum locum habet contritio.

“sorrow of the soul

 and detestation for the sin committed,

 together with the resolution not to sin again.”

(⁵⁰ Council of Trent (1551): DS 1676)

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. (⁵¹ Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1677)

1452 Contritio cum ex amore provenit Dei super omnia amati, « perfecta » appellatur (caritatis contritio). Talis contritio veniales remittit defectus; etiam veniam obtinet peccatorum mortalium, si firmum implicat propositum ad confessionem sacramentalem recurrendi quam primum possibile sit.⁴⁴

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance. (⁵¹ Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1677)

1453 Contritio quae dicitur « imperfecta » (seu « attritio »), est, et ipsa, donum Dei, Spiritus Sancti impulsio. E consideratione oritur foeditatis peccati vel ex timore damnationis aeternae et aliarum poenarum quae peccatori minantur (contritio ex timore). Talis commotio conscientiae interiorem incipere potest evolutionem quae sub actione gratiae per absolutionem perficietur sacramentalem. Per se ipsam tamen contritio imperfecta veniam peccatorum gravium non obtinet, sed disponit ad eam obtinendam in Poenitentiae sacramento.⁴⁵

1454 The reception of this sacrament ought to be prepared for by an examination of conscience made in the light of the Word of God. The passages best suited to this can be found in the Ten Commandments, the moral catechesis of the Gospels and the apostolic Letters, such as the Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic teachings. (⁵³ Cf. Mt 5-7; Rom 12-15; 1 Cor 12-13; Gal 5; Eph 4-6; etc)

1454 Oportet huius sacramenti receptionem per examen conscientiae factum sub lumine Verbi Dei praeparare. Aptissimi textus ad hoc sunt in Decalogo quaerendi atque in Evangeliorum et Epistularum apostolicarum morali catechesi: in sermone montano, in apostolicis doctrinis.⁴⁶

(VII-2) [2] THE CONFESSION of SINS

Peccatorum confessio

1455 THE confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission [:]

1455 Peccatorum confessio (accusatio), etiam ex quadam mere humana consideratione, nos liberat et nostram cum aliis reconciliationem efficit faciliorem. Per confessionem

[1] man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of,

[2] takes responsibility for them,

[3] and thereby opens himself again to God

[4] and to the communion of the Church

1456 Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance: “All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession, even if they are most secret and have been committed against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound the soul more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly.” (⁵⁴ Council of Trent (1551): DS 1680 (ND 1626); cf. Ex 20:17; Mt 5:28)

1456 Confessio sacerdoti partem constituit essentialem sacramenti Poenitentiae: Oportet « a paenitentibus omnia peccata mortalia, quorum post diligentem sui discussionem conscientiam habent, in confessione recenseri, etiamsi occultissima illa sint et tantum adversus duo ultima Decalogi praecepta commissa,⁴⁷ quae nonnumquam animum gravius sauciant, et periculosiora sunt iis, quae in manifesto admittuntur »:⁴⁸

When Christ’s faithful strive to confess all the sins that they can remember, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon. But those who fail to do so and knowingly withhold some, place nothing before the divine goodness for remission through the mediation of the priest, “for if the sick person is too ashamed to show his wound to the doctor, the medicine cannot heal what it does not know.” (⁵⁵ Council of Trent (1551): DS 1680 (ND 1626); cf. St. Jerome, In Eccl. 10,11 CCL 72, 338:PL 23:1096)

« Dum omnia, quae memoriae occurrunt, peccata Christi fideles confiteri student, procul dubio omnia divinae misericordiae ignoscenda exponunt. Qui vero secus faciunt et scienter aliqua retinent, nihil divinae bonitati per sacerdotem remittendum proponunt. "Si enim erubescat aegrotus vulnus medico detegere, quod ignorat medicina non curat" ».⁴⁹

1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” (⁵⁶ Cf. CIC, Can. 989; Council of Trent (1551): DS 1683; DS 1708)
 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. (⁵⁷ Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1647; 1661; CIC, can. 916; CCEO, can. 711)  Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. (⁵⁸ Cf. CIC, can. 914)

1457 Iuxta Ecclesiae praeceptum, « omnis fidelis, postquam ad annos discretionis pervenerit, obligatione tenetur peccata sua gravia, saltem semel in anno, fideliter confitendi ».⁵⁰ Qui conscientiam habet de peccato mortali a se commisso, sanctam Communionem recipere non debet, etiamsi magnam experiatur contritionem, quin prius absolutionem acceperit sacramentalem,⁵¹ nisi motivum grave adsit ad Communionem suscipiendam et possibile non sit ad confessarium accedere.⁵² Pueri ad Poenitentiae sacramentum debent accedere ante quam primam sanctam recipiant Communionem.⁵³

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. (⁵⁹ Cf. Council of Trent: DS 1680; CIC, can. 988 § 2) Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful: (⁶⁰ Cf. Lk 6:36)

1458 Confessio defectuum quotidianorum (peccatorum venialium), quin stricte sit necessaria, enixe ab Ecclesia commendatur.⁵⁴ Revera regularis nostrorum peccatorum venialium confessio nos adiuvat ad nostram efformandam conscientiam, ad pugnandum contra nostras malas tendentias, ad permittendum ut Christus nos sanet, ad progrediendum in vita Spiritus. Donum misericordiae Patris frequentius per hoc sacramentum accipientes, impellimur ut misericordes simus sicut Ipse.⁵⁵

Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict [i.e. accuse =speak aloud] them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear “man” - this is what God has made; when you hear “sinner” - this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made. . . . When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light. (⁶¹ St. Augustine, In Jo. ev. 12,13: CCL 36, 128 PL 35,1491)

« Qui confitetur peccata sua, et accusat peccata sua, iam cum Deo facit. Accusat Deus peccata tua; si et tu accusas, coniungeris Deo. Quasi duae res sunt, homo et peccator. Quod audis homo, Deus fecit; quod audis peccator, ipse homo fecit. Dele quod fecisti, ut Deus salvet quod fecit. [...] Cum autem coeperit tibi displicere quod fecisti, inde incipiunt bona opera tua, quia accusas mala opera tua. Initium operum bonorum, confessio est operum malorum. Facis veritatem et venis ad Lucem ».⁵⁶

(VII-3) [3] SATISFACTION

Satisfactio

1459 MANY sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused. (⁶² Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712) Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must “make satisfaction for” or “expiate” his sins. This satisfaction is also called “penance.”

1459 Multa peccata malum inferunt proximo. Oportet facere quidquid possibile est, ad id reparandum (exempli gratia, res restituere furto sublatas, famam restabilire illius quem sumus calumniati, compensare vulnera). Mera iustitia hoc exigit. Sed ulterius peccatum peccatorem ipsum vulnerat et debilitat, sicut etiam eius relationes cum Deo et cum proximo. Absolutio peccatum tollit, sed omnibus inordinationibus a peccato causatis remedium non affert.⁵⁷ A peccato liberatus, peccator debet adhuc plenam salutem spiritualem recuperare. Debet igitur aliquid amplius facere ad sua peccata reparanda: debet « satisfacere » modo convenienti vel peccata sua « expiare ». Haec satisfactio vocatur etiam « poenitentia ».

1460 The penance the confessor imposes must[:]

1460 Poenitentia, quam confessarius imponit,

[1] take into account the penitent’s personal situation and

[2] must seek his spiritual good.

[1] prayer,

[2] an offering,

[3] works of mercy,

 in oratione,

 in quadam oblatione,

 in operibus misericordiae,

[4] service of neighbor,

[5] voluntary self-denial,

[6] sacrifices,

[7] and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear.

 in servitio proximi,

 in privationibus voluntariis,

 in sacrificiis,

 et praecipue in patienti crucis acceptatione quam ferre debemus.

The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ. We who can do nothing ourselves, as if just by ourselves, can do all things with the cooperation of “him who strengthens” us. Thus man has nothing of which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ . . . in whom we make satisfaction by bringing forth “fruits that befit repentance.” These fruits have their efficacy from him, by him they are offered to the Father, and through him they are accepted by the Father. (⁶⁴ C. of Trent (1551): DS 1691; cf. Phil 4:13; 1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17; Gal 6:14; Lk 3:8)

« Neque vero ita nostra est satisfactio haec, quam pro peccatis nostris exsolvimus, ut non sit per Christum Iesum; nam qui ex nobis tamquam ex nobis nihil possumus, Eo cooperante, "qui nos confortat, omnia possumus".⁶⁰ Ita non habet homo, unde glorietur; sed omnis gloriatio nostra in Christo est, [...] in quo satisfacimus, "facientes fructus dignos paenitentiae",⁶¹ qui ex Illo vim habent, ab Illo offeruntur Patri, et per Illum acceptantur a Patre ».⁶²

VIII. THE MINISTER of this SACRAMENT

VIII. Huius sacramenti minister

1461 SINCE Christ entrusted to his apostles the ministry of reconciliation, (⁶⁴ C. of Trent (1551): DS 1691; cf. Phil 4:13; 1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17; Gal 6:14; Lk 3:8) bishops who are their successors, and priests, the bishops’ collaborators, continue to exercise this ministry. Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

1461 Quia Christus ministerium Reconciliationis Suis concredidit Apostolis,⁶³ Episcopi, eorum successores, et presbyteri, Episcoporum collaboratores, hoc ministerium exercere pergunt. Re vera, Episcopi et presbyteri, virtute sacramenti Ordinis, potestatem habent omnia remittendi peccata « in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti ».

1462 Forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God, but also with the Church. Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus rightfully been considered to be the one who principally has the power and ministry of reconciliation: he is the moderator of the penitential discipline. (⁶⁶ Cf. LG 26 § 3) Priests, his collaborators, exercise it to the extent that they have received the commission either from their bishop (or religious superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the Church. (67 Cf. CIC, cann. 844; 967-969; 972; CCEO, can. 722 §§ 3-4)

1462 Peccatorum absolutio reconciliat cum Deo, sed etiam cum Ecclesia. Episcopus igitur, Ecclesiae particularis visibile caput, inde a temporibus antiquis, iusta ratione consideratur sicut ille qui principaliter reconciliationis habet potestatem et ministerium: ipse est disciplinae poenitentialis moderator.⁶⁴ Presbyteri, eius collaboratores, id exercent in ea mensura in qua facultatem receperint sive ab Episcopo suo (vel a superiore religioso) sive a Romano Pontifice per Ecclesiae ius.⁶⁵

1463 Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them. (⁶⁸ Cf. CIC, cann. 1331; 1354-1357; CCEO, can. 1431; 1434; 1420) In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication. (⁶⁹ Cf. CIC, can. 976; CCEO, can. 725)

1463 Quaedam peccata speciatim gravia plectuntur excommunicatione, poena ecclesiastica omnium severissima, quae sacramentorum impedit receptionem et quorumdam actuum ecclesiasticorum exercitium,⁶⁶ et cuius absolutio consequenter non potest concedi, secundum Ecclesiae ius, nisi a Romano Pontifice, ab Episcopo loci vel a sacerdotibus quibus ipsi auctoritatem contulerint.⁶⁷ In casu periculi mortis, quilibet sacerdos, etiam facultate ad audiendas confessiones carens, ab omni peccato absolvere potest atque ab omni excommunicatione.⁶⁸

1464 Priests must encourage the faithful to come to the sacrament of Penance and must make themselves available to celebrate this sacrament each time Christians reasonably ask for it. (⁷⁰ Cf. CIC, can. 486; CCEO, can. 735; PO 13)

1464 Sacerdotes debent fideles hortari ut ad Poenitentiae accedant sacramentum et debent se paratos ostendere ad hoc sacramentum celebrandum quoties christiani illud rationabiliter petant.⁶⁹

THE CONFESSOR - PHYSICIAN & JUDGE

1465 When he celebrates the sacrament of Penance, the priest is fulfilling the ministry of:

1465 Sacerdos, sacramentum celebrans Poenitentiae, ministerium adimplet

[1] the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep,

[2] of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds,

[3] of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return,

[4] and of the just and impartial judge whose judgment is both just and merciful.

boni Pastoris qui perditam quaerit ovem,

illud boni Samaritani qui vulnera curat,

Patris qui filium exspectat prodigum et eum accipit in eius reditu,

iusti iudicis qui personarum non facit acceptionem et cuius iudicium simul iustum est et misericors.

1466 The confessor is not the master of God’s forgiveness, but its servant. The minister of this sacrament should unite himself to the intention and charity of Christ. (⁷¹ Cf. PO 13) He should have a proven knowledge of Christian behavior, experience of human affairs, respect and sensitivity toward the one who has fallen; he must love the truth, be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, and lead the penitent with patience toward healing and full maturity. He must pray and do penance for his penitent, entrusting him to the Lord’s mercy.

1466 Confessarius dominus non est, sed minister veniae Dei. Minister huius sacramenti cum intentione et caritate Christi se coniungere debet.⁷⁰ Cognitionem christianorum morum habere debet probatam, rerum humanarum experientiam, respectum et suavitatem erga illum qui cecidit; veritatem debet amare, Ecclesiae Magisterio esse fidelem et patienter poenitentem ducere ad sanationem et plenam maturitatem. Orare debet atque poenitentiam agere pro eo, eumdem Domini concredens misericordiae.

1467 Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that confession gives him about penitents’ lives. (⁷² Cf. CIC, can. 1388 § 1; CCEO, can. 1456) This secret, which admits of no exceptions, is called the “sacramental seal,” because what the penitent has made known to the priest remains “sealed” by the sacrament.

1467 Perspectis sanctimonia et magnitudine huius ministerii et observantia personis debita, Ecclesia declarat omnes sacerdotes qui confessiones audiunt, obligatos esse ad secretum absolutum relate ad peccata quae eorum poenitentes illis sint confessi, sub poenis severissimis.⁷¹ Neque possunt usum facere cognitionum quas illis confessio praebuerit circa poenitentium vitam. Hoc secretum, quod exceptiones non admittit, « sigillum sacramentale » appellatur, quia id quod poenitens sacerdoti manifestavit, manet a sacramento « sigillatum ».

IX. THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT

IX. Effectus huius sacramenti

1468 “THE whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship.” (⁷³ Roman Catechism, II,V,18) Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation “is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation.” (⁷⁴ Council of Trent (1551): DS 1674)  Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true “spiritual resurrection,” restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God. (⁷⁵ Cf. Lk 15:32)

1468 « Poenitentiae itaque omnis in eo vis est, ut nos in Dei gratiam restituat, cum Eoque summa amicitia coniungat ».⁷² Scopus igitur et effectus huius sacramenti est reconciliatio cum Deo. In illis qui Poenitentiae sacramentum accipiunt cum corde contrito et dispositione religiosa, « conscientiae pax ac serenitas cum vehementi spiritus consolatione consequi solet ».⁷³ Revera sacramentum Reconciliationis cum Deo veram « resurrectionem spiritualem » affert, restitutionem dignitatis et bonorum vitae filiorum Dei, quorum pretiosissimum est Dei amicitia.⁷⁴

1469 This sacrament reconciles us with the Church. Sin damages or even breaks fraternal communion. The sacrament of Penance repairs or restores it. In this sense it does not simply heal the one restored to ecclesial communion, but has also a revitalizing effect on the life of the Church which suffered from the sin of one of her members. (⁷⁶ Cf. 1 Cor 12:26) Re-established or strengthened in the communion of saints, the sinner is made stronger by the exchange of spiritual goods among all the living members of the Body of Christ, whether still on pilgrimage or already in the heavenly homeland: (⁷⁷ Cf. LG 48-50)

1469 Hoc sacramentum nos cum Ecclesia reconciliat. Peccatum communionem fraternam attenuat vel frangit. Poenitentiae sacramentum illam reparat vel restaurat. Hoc sensu, non solum sanat eum qui in communionem restituitur ecclesialem, sed effectum etiam habet vivificantem super vitam Ecclesiae, quae peccatum unius e suis membris passa est.⁷⁵ Peccator, in communione sanctorum restitutus vel confirmatus, per bonorum spiritualium roboratur communicationem quae inter omnia viva corporis Christi habetur membra, sive adhuc in peregrinationis sint statu sive iam sint in patria coelesti.⁷⁶

It must be recalled that . . . this reconciliation with God leads, as it were, to other reconciliations, which repair the other breaches caused by sin. The forgiven penitent is reconciled with himself in his inmost being, where he regains his innermost truth. He is reconciled with his brethren whom he has in some way offended and wounded. He is reconciled with the Church. He is reconciled with all creation. (⁷⁸ John Paul II, RP 31,5)

« Necesse tamen est addere eiusmodi reconciliationem cum Deo quasi alias reconciliationes progignere, quae totidem aliis medeantur discidiis peccato effectis: paenitens, cui venia datur, reconciliat se sibi in intima parte eius quod est ipse, ubi veritatem suam interiorem recuperat; reconciliatur fratribus ab eo aliqua ratione offensis et laesis; reconciliatur Ecclesiae; reconciliatur universae creaturae ».⁷⁷

1470 In this sacrament, the sinner, placing himself before the merciful judgment of God, anticipates in a certain way the judgment to which he will be subjected at the end of his earthly life. For it is now, in this life, that we are offered the choice between life and death, and it is only by the road of conversion that we can enter the Kingdom, from which one is excluded by grave sin. (⁷⁹ Cf. 1 Cor 5:11; Gal 5:19-21; Rev 22:15) In converting to Christ through penance and faith, the sinner passes from death to life and “does not come into judgment.” (⁸⁰ Jn 5:24)

1470 In hoc sacramento, peccator, se misericordi Dei tradens iudicio, quodammodo anticipat iudicium cui submittetur in huius vitae terrestris fine. Etenim nunc, in hac vita, nobis electio offertur inter vitam et mortem, et non nisi per viam conversionis possumus intrare in Regnum Dei a quo grave excludit peccatum.⁷⁸ Peccator, se Christo per poenitentiam et fidem convertens, a morte transit ad vitam « et in iudicium non venit » (Io 5,24).

[1471-1479 - Indulgences]

XI. THE CELEBRATION of the SACRAMENT of PENANCE

XI. Celebratio sacramenti Poenitentiae

1480 LIKE all the sacraments, Penance is a liturgical action. The elements of the celebration are ordinarily these:

1480 Poenitentia, sicut omnia sacramenta, actio est liturgica. Haec sunt ordinario elementa celebrationis:

[1] a greeting and blessing from the priest,

[2] reading the word of God to illuminate the conscience and elicit contrition, and an exhortation to repentance;

[3] the confession, which acknowledges sins and makes them known to the priest;

[4] the imposition and acceptance of a penance;

[5] the priest’s absolution;

[6] a prayer of thanksgiving and praise and dismissal with the blessing of the priest.

salutatio et benedictio sacerdotis,

lectio Verbi Dei ad conscientiam illuminandam et contritionem suscitandam, et hortatio ad poenitentiam;

confessio quae peccata agnoscit et sacerdoti manifestat;

poenitentiae impositio et acceptatio;

absolutio sacerdotis;

laus actionis gratiarum et dimissio cum sacerdotis benedictione.

1481 The Byzantine Liturgy recognizes several formulas of absolution, in the form of invocation, which admirably express the mystery of forgiveness: “May the same God, who through the Prophet Nathan forgave David when he confessed his sins, who forgave Peter when he wept bitterly, the prostitute when she washed his feet with her tears, the publican, and the prodigal son, through me, a sinner, forgive you both in this life and in the next and enable you to appear before his awe-inspiring tribunal without condemnation, he who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen.”

1481 Liturgia Byzantina plures absolutionis cognoscit formulas, in forma deprecativa, quae mirabiliter mysterium exprimunt veniae: « Deus, qui per prophetam Nathan indulsit David, cum ipse sua propria peccata confessus est, et Petro cum amare flevit, et peccatrici cum suas lacrimas super pedes Eius effudit, et publicano et prodigo, Idem Deus vobis indulgeat, per me, peccatorem, in hac vita et in altera, et quin vos condemnet, faciat vos ante Eius tribunal manifestari terribile. Qui est benedictus in saecula saeculorum. Amen ».⁸⁹

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES

1482 The sacrament of Penance can also take place in the framework of a communal celebration in which we prepare ourselves together for confession and give thanks together for the forgiveness received. Here, the personal confession of sins and individual absolution are inserted into a liturgy of the word of God with readings and a homily, an examination of conscience conducted in common, a communal request for forgiveness, the Our Father and a thanksgiving in common. This communal celebration expresses more clearly the ecclesial character of penance. However, regardless of its manner of celebration the sacrament of Penance is always, by its very nature, a liturgical action, and therefore an ecclesial and public action. (⁹¹ Cf. SC 26-27)

1482 Sacramentum Poenitentiae potest etiam confici intra celebrationem communitariam, in qua poenitentes simul ad confessionem praeparantur et simul gratias agunt de venia recepta. Hic confessio peccatorum personalis et absolutio individualis in liturgiam verbi Dei inseruntur cum lectionibus et homilia, examine conscientiae ducto in communi, imploratione veniae communitaria, oratione « Pater noster » et gratiarum actione in communi. Haec celebratio communitaria clarius exprimit ecclesialem poenitentiae indolem. Sacramentum Poenitentiae, quicumque est celebrationis eius modus, semper est, sua ipsa natura, actio liturgica, ideoque ecclesialis et publica.⁹⁰

GENERAL ABSOLUTION

[1] Grave necessity of this sort can arise when there is imminent danger of death without sufficient time for the priest or priests to hear each penitent’s confession.

[2] Grave necessity can also exist when, given the number of penitents, there are not enough confessors to hear individual confessions properly in a reasonable time, so that the penitents through no fault of their own would be deprived of sacramental grace or Holy Communion for a long time.

Necessitas gravis potest etiam exsistere cum, ratione habita numeri poenitentium, sufficientes non adsunt confessarii ad confessiones individuales intra rationabile tempus debite audiendas, ita ut poenitentes, sine culpa sua, privati gratia sacramentali vel sancta Communione, longo tempore, permanerent.

1484 “Individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church, unless physical or moral impossibility excuses from this kind of confession.” (⁹⁵ OP 31) There are profound reasons for this. Christ is at work in each of the sacraments. He personally addresses every sinner: “My son, your sins are forgiven.” (⁹⁶ Mk 2:5) He is the physician tending each one of the sick who need him to cure them. (⁹⁷ Cf. Mk 2:17) He raises them up and reintegrates them into fraternal communion. Personal confession is thus the form most expressive of reconciliation with God and with the Church.

1484 « Individualis et integra confessio atque absolutio manent unicus modus ordinarius, quo fideles se cum Deo et Ecclesia reconciliant, nisi impossibilitas physica vel moralis ab huiusmodi confessione excuset ».⁹⁴ Hoc gravibus non caret rationibus. Christus in unoquoque agit sacramento. Personaliter ad unumquemque dirigitur peccatorem: « Fili, dimittuntur peccata tua » (Mc 2,5); Ipse est medicus qui super singulos Se inclinat aegrotos qui Eo egent,⁹⁵ ut illos sanet; Ipse eos sublevat et in communionem redintegrat fraternam. Confessio personalis est igitur forma reconciliationis cum Deo et cum Ecclesia maxime significativa.

 IN BRIEF

Compendium

1485 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,” Jesus showed himself to his apostles. “He breathed on them, and said to them: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”‘ (Jn 20:19, 22-23).

1485 Paschatis vespera, Dominus Iesus Se Suis manifestavit Apostolis « et dicit eis: "Accipite Spiritum Sanctum. Quorum remiseritis peccata, remissa sunt eis; quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt" » (Io 20,22-23).

1486 The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation.

1486 Remissio peccatorum post Baptismum commissorum per sacramentum conceditur proprium quod Conversionis, Confessionis, Poenitentiae vel Reconciliationis appellatur sacramentum.

1487 The sinner wounds God’s honor and love, his own human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone.

1487 Ille qui peccat, honorem vulnerat Dei et amorem Eius, suam propriam dignitatem hominis vocati ut filius sit Dei et bonum statum spiritualem Ecclesiae cuius unusquisque christianus lapis esse debet vivus.

1488 To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin and nothing has worse consequences for sinners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world.

1488 Iuxta fidei oculos, nullum malum est gravius peccato nihilque peiores habet consequentias pro ipsis peccatoribus, pro Ecclesia et pro universo mundo.

1489 To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.

1489 Reditus ad communionem cum Deo, postquam per peccatum amissa est, est motus ortus a gratia Dei pleni misericordia et solliciti de salute hominum. Hoc donum pretiosum implorare oportet pro se ipsis et pro aliis.

1490 The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance, entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future. Conversion touches the past and the future and is nourished by hope in God’s mercy.

1490 Motus reditus ad Deum, qui conversio et poenitentia appellatur, dolorem implicat et aversionem relate ad peccata commissa, et firmum propositum non amplius peccandi in futurum. Conversio igitur ad tempus praeteritum refertur et futurum; spe nutritur in misericordiam divinam.

1491 The sacrament of Penance is a whole consisting in three actions of the penitent and the priest’s absolution. The penitent’s acts are repentance, confession or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and do works of reparation.

1491 Poenitentiae sacramentum ex complexu trium actuum a poenitente peractorum et ex absolutione sacerdotis constituitur. Actus poenitentis sunt: poenitentia, confessio seu manifestatio peccatorum ad sacerdotem atque propositum reparationem adimplendi reparationisque opera.

1492 Repentance (also called contrition) must be inspired by motives that arise from faith. If repentance arises from love of charity for God, it is called “perfect” contrition; if it is founded on other motives, it is called “imperfect.”

1492 Poenitentia (etiam contritio appellata) debet a motivis inspirari quae a fide profluunt. Si poenitentia ex amore caritatis erga Deum concipitur, dicitur « perfecta »; si ipsa in aliis fundatur motivis, « imperfecta » appellatur.

1493 One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.

1493 Qui reconciliationem cum Deo et cum Ecclesia vult obtinere, sacerdoti omnia peccata gravia confiteri debet quae nondum est confessus et quorum recordatur postquam suam accurate examinavit conscientiam. Defectuum venialium confessio, quin in se sit necessaria, vivide tamen ab Ecclesia commendatur.

1494 The confessor proposes the performance of certain acts of “satisfaction” or “penance” to be performed by the penitent in order to repair the harm caused by sin and to re-establish habits befitting a disciple of Christ.

1494 Confessarius poenitenti adimpletionem proponit quorumdam actuum « satisfactionis » seu « poenitentiae » ad damnum a peccato causatum reparandum et ad habitus restaurandos qui Christi discipulo sunt proprii.

1495 Only priests who have received the faculty of absolving from the authority of the Church can forgive sins in the name of Christ.

1495 Solummodo sacerdotes qui ab Ecclesiae auctoritate facultatem absolvendi receperunt, possunt peccata in nomine Christi dimittere.

1496 The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are:
- reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace;
- reconciliation with the Church;
- remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
- remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin;
- peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation;
- an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

1496 Effectus spirituales sacramenti Poenitentiae sunt:
— reconciliatio cum Deo qua poenitens gratiam recuperat;
— reconciliatio cum Ecclesia;
— remissio poenae aeternae in quam quis per peccata incurrit mortalia;
— remissio, saltem partialis, poenarum temporalium quae conse quentiae sunt peccatorum;
— conscientiae pax et serenitas, atque consolatio spiritualis;
— augmentum virium spiritualium pro certamine christiano.

1497 Individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church.

1497 Confessio peccatorum gravium individualis et integra, quam absolutio sequitur, unum medium permanet ordinarium pro reconciliatione cum Deo et cum Ecclesia.

1498 Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory.

1498 Per indulgentias, fideles pro se ipsis et etiam pro animabus purgatorii remissionem obtinere possunt poenarum temporalium, quae consequentiae sunt peccatorum.