The ritual for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation was rewritten in the mid-1970s, however in many places, this forumla has not been used (yet). It takes some effort to even remember that the outline of the Sacramental celebration of forgiveness was modified, since it is not widely practiced in some parts.
That having been said, I did a bit of research today and remembered the 'revised ritual' which is in effect for the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. Here it is, for the sake of those whose interest may now be peaked:
RITE FOR RECONCILIATION OF INDIVIDUAL PENITENTS
RECEPTION OF THE PENITENT
When the penitent comes to confess his sins, the priest welcomes him warmly and greets him with kindness. Then the penitent makes the sign of the cross which the priest may make also. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The priest invites the penitent to have trust in God, in these or similar words: May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in his mercy. The penitent answers Amen.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD (Optional)
The priest may read or say from memory a text of Scripture which proclaims God's mercy and calls us to conversion. A reading may also be chosen for the reconciliation of several penitents. The priest and penitent may choose other readings from scripture.
CONFESSION OF SINS AND ACCEPTANCE OF SATISFACTION
Where it is the custom, the penitent says a general formula for confession (ie I confess to Almighty God ...) before the confession of sins. If necessary, the priest helps the penitent to make an integral confession and gives suitable counsel. He urges the penitent to be sorry for faults, reminding him that through the sacrament of penance the Christian dies and rises with Christ and is thus renewed in the paschal mystery. The priest proposes an act of penance which the penitent accepts to make satisfaction for sin and to amend his life. The priest should make sure that he adapts his counsel to the penitent's circumstances.
PRAYER OF THE PENITENT AND ABSOLUTION
The priest then asks the penitent to express sorrow, which the penitent may do in these or similar words:
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. Other suitable prayers may also be chosen, or the penitent can say Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
The priest then extends his hands over the penitent's head and says, God, the Father of mercies, through the death and 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. The penitent answers Amen.
PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE OF GOD AND DISMISSAL
After the absolution, the priest continues Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. The penitent concludes His mercy endures for ever. Then the priest dismisses the penitent who has been reconciled, saying The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace. or The Lord has freed you from sin. May he bring you safely to his kingdom in heaven. Glory to him forever. Amen. or May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace. or Blessed are those whose sins have been forgiven, whose evil deeds have been forgotten. Rejoice in the Lord, and go in peace. or Go in peace, and proclaim to the world the wonderful works of God who has brought you salvation.
How long will it take, I wonder, before this actually becomes the ritual of choice, with which we are all familiar?
That having been said, I did a bit of research today and remembered the 'revised ritual' which is in effect for the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. Here it is, for the sake of those whose interest may now be peaked:
RITE FOR RECONCILIATION OF INDIVIDUAL PENITENTS
RECEPTION OF THE PENITENT
When the penitent comes to confess his sins, the priest welcomes him warmly and greets him with kindness. Then the penitent makes the sign of the cross which the priest may make also. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The priest invites the penitent to have trust in God, in these or similar words: May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in his mercy. The penitent answers Amen.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD (Optional)
The priest may read or say from memory a text of Scripture which proclaims God's mercy and calls us to conversion. A reading may also be chosen for the reconciliation of several penitents. The priest and penitent may choose other readings from scripture.
CONFESSION OF SINS AND ACCEPTANCE OF SATISFACTION
Where it is the custom, the penitent says a general formula for confession (ie I confess to Almighty God ...) before the confession of sins. If necessary, the priest helps the penitent to make an integral confession and gives suitable counsel. He urges the penitent to be sorry for faults, reminding him that through the sacrament of penance the Christian dies and rises with Christ and is thus renewed in the paschal mystery. The priest proposes an act of penance which the penitent accepts to make satisfaction for sin and to amend his life. The priest should make sure that he adapts his counsel to the penitent's circumstances.
PRAYER OF THE PENITENT AND ABSOLUTION
The priest then asks the penitent to express sorrow, which the penitent may do in these or similar words:
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. Other suitable prayers may also be chosen, or the penitent can say Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
The priest then extends his hands over the penitent's head and says, God, the Father of mercies, through the death and 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. The penitent answers Amen.
PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE OF GOD AND DISMISSAL
After the absolution, the priest continues Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. The penitent concludes His mercy endures for ever. Then the priest dismisses the penitent who has been reconciled, saying The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace. or The Lord has freed you from sin. May he bring you safely to his kingdom in heaven. Glory to him forever. Amen. or May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace. or Blessed are those whose sins have been forgiven, whose evil deeds have been forgotten. Rejoice in the Lord, and go in peace. or Go in peace, and proclaim to the world the wonderful works of God who has brought you salvation.
How long will it take, I wonder, before this actually becomes the ritual of choice, with which we are all familiar?
2 comments:
Hey, what happened to 'Bless me Father for I have sinned'?
This new rite shifts the focus to what God is doing ... and from our sins to the healing and wholeness God offers.
We still have a long way to go, but there's lots of promise for the future.
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