Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, one of the two sacraments of healing, is an encounter with Jesus that forgives and restores us to grace-filled discipleship. Through this holy sacrament, the Christian community celebrates  and prolongs the forgiveness project of Jesus in our midst.

We celebrate God's mercy, of course, during the penitential rite at nearly every liturgy. But it is important for us to acknowledge and to celebrate, what Pope Francis calls, the "the revolution of God's tender mercy" in greater depth and length several times during the course of the year in order to insure our spiritual growth as disciples. 

Here at Bellarmine Chapel, we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a community during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent. After meditating on the Word of God, we engage in, what is called, an "examination of conscience", that is, a review of the graces received, our faults and failings and the new invitations God is sending our way. 

In the past, "confession" typically focused on sins that one has committed. While that dimension of the sacrament has not been lost, the focus today is on the quality of our relationships: with God, with our selves, with others (families, neighbors and friends) and with the earth. 

Just as this sacrament can be celebrated together in community, it can also be performed individually at any time throughout the year. Usually the presiders are available for confession before or after the weekday masses. You should also feel free to call and make an appointment whenever you feel called to celebrate this sacrament which deepens God's life within us. 

For more information, contact: Eric Sundrup, S.J. at sundrup@xavier@edu

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