Reconciliation

“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” James 5:16


“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Our Father)














Throughout his life Jesus preached forgiveness. Dying, He forgave those who crucified him. As the risen Christ he appeared to the disciples gathered in a room together and gave them, and through them the Church, the gift of reconciliation. “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:22-23


The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift from God. It celebrates God’s forgiving and unconditional love. In confessing our sins through a priest as intermediary, and receiving penance, we experience God’s mercy and healing love and are reconciled both to God and to others. Spending time thinking about what we would do differently and where our relationships with God and others need healing, we are offered an opportunity for reparation and spiritual growth.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available in all the churches of St. Edward’s Parish on a weekly basis, or by special request to the priests. During Advent and Lent special Reconciliation Services enable you to partake of confession within the context of a community celebration of this gift of forgiveness.