THE SYMBOLS OF RECONCILIATION
Symbols are the things we use to make the celebration or sacrament special, they are representations of 'something more'.
KEYS:Keys crisscrossed in the shape of an X, this is the first letter in the Greek spelling of Christ, reminding us that through Jesus we are reconciled.This symbol of reconciliation originates from Jesus' words to Peter, in which he established the Sacrament of Reconciliation, giving the church the authority to absolve sin. "I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven". Matthew 16:19.
A RAISED HAND:After the penitent makes the act of contrition, the priest offers the prayer of Absolution which is the blessing that removes the person's sins. During this act the priest raises his right hand over the penitents head, symbolising the action of the priest during absolution.
SIGN OF THE CROSS:The priest makes a sign of the cross over the penitent as he recites the final words of the prayer of Absolution: "I absolve you from all your sins in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".
PURPLE STOLE:The purple stole is the primary symbol of the ordained priesthood. The stole signifies the priests authority to preside over the sacraments and absolve sins. When a priest hears a confession, he wears a purple stole which symbolises repentance and sorrow.
THE SCOURING WHIP:The scourging whip signifies Jesus' suffering and crucifixion. Before his crucification, Jesus was scourged at the pillar. He suffered for our sins and by his wounds we are healed; through this suffering, sins shall be taken away and the people will receive pardon for their offences.
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THE RITUALS OF RECONCILIATION
Children need to understand that rituals are far more than just routines. A ritual is a structured, meaningful and purposeful action,
without which the celebration looses its significance. It is within these rituals that put us in touch with the transcendent.
without which the celebration looses its significance. It is within these rituals that put us in touch with the transcendent.
GREETING
This is significant as it is welcoming the penitent into the church and inviting them into God’s
love and care.
love and care.
SIGN OF THE CROSS
This is done during the greeting and welcoming of the priest and the penitent. The sign of the cross,
symbolises the father, the son and the holy spirit (The trinity).
symbolises the father, the son and the holy spirit (The trinity).
BIBLE PASSAGE
This is significant as it reminds the priest and the penitent of Jesus and his acts of kindness.
PRAYER OF SORROW
Penitent presents themselves to the priest to confess their sins by saying a prayer of sorrow. A sincere
sorrow is necessary for the confession to be absolute.
sorrow is necessary for the confession to be absolute.
THE ABSOLUTION
From the latin Ab = from; solver meaning to free. Absolution is the dissolving of sin, or of the punishment due to sin,
granted by the Church. Absolution is what is said by the priest during the sacrament of penance
whereby he frees man from sin. It is when God has forgiven the sins of the penitent and the relationship
is restored.
granted by the Church. Absolution is what is said by the priest during the sacrament of penance
whereby he frees man from sin. It is when God has forgiven the sins of the penitent and the relationship
is restored.
A SPECIAL BLESSING
A special blessing is also given to the penitent after the words of the Absolution. The most important words
are ‘I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The child
then replies with Amen which signifies an end to the confession and to accept the fact that his or her sins
have been forgiven.
are ‘I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The child
then replies with Amen which signifies an end to the confession and to accept the fact that his or her sins
have been forgiven.