FOURTH AND FINAL HOLY HOUR – THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
We end our Lenten Holy Hours in Queen of Angels church at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 with our pre-Easter Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This Tuesday we gather as people recognizing our imperfections and bringing them to the forgiving mercy of God and the prayerful comfort of one another. There will be song, Scripture, a brief homily and a litany of forgiveness. Then all who wish may go to confession and receive individual absolution. It is an evening of peace and renewal.
Remember The Guide article two weeks ago inviting us to and preparing us for this sacrament. The Sacrament of Reconciliation has personal and growth filled steps. Confession: The telling of sin not simply for disclosure, but recognizing responsibility for our actions to facilitate our reconciliation and reunion. Confession to a priest: A dialogue, face-to-face acknowledgement to another person who is also a sinner that I have hurt others with the priest inviting the penitent to charity and peace. Satisfaction: A penance.
The taking up of an action offered by the priest as a way to right what was harmed. Forgiveness: The prayerful reception of the words of absolution, or forgiveness from the Lord. All of this is preceded by our personal Examination of Self, or Conscience: We hold our life in our hands and look to see how it compares to the ways of Christ.
Finish the Lenten Holy Weeks and move to Easter as a refreshed Christian!
Other times for your pre-Easter Sacrament of Reconciliation, or confession are 9:30 to 10 a.m. and again from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19; from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 22; and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday (Good Friday) March 25.
