Reconciliation

Through Reconciliation, Christians are freed from sins committed after Baptism. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is considered the normal way to be absolved from mortal sins which, it is believed, would otherwise condemn a person to Hell.   The Catechism of the Catholic Church [number 1857] states that "For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: 'Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.'"

The Sacrament has four elements, three on the part of the penitent (contrition, confession and satisfaction) and one on the part of the minister of the Sacrament (absolution).

Catholics distinguish between two types of sin: Mortal sins are a grave violation of God's law that turns man away from God. Someone who is aware of having committed mortal sins must repent of having done so, and must confess them in order to benefit from the Sacrament. Venial sins, the kind that "does not set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God", can be remitted by contrition and reception of other Sacraments, but they too are rightly and usefully declared in confession.

 

Reconciliation at St. John the Baptist Parish

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is usually celebrated a half hour before weekday Holy Mass.  Alternatively you can contact the parish priest to make an appointment at 306-634-2190.

Information on First Reconciliation can be found here.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation as described by Fr. Raphael Mary of the Catholic Newman Center at the University of Washington.