The official minister
In the ceremony of Reconciliation the Priest is the official minister who represents God and the church, the two parties that are essential for Reconciliation.
The Participants
Therefore God, the Priest (God’s instrument) and the church (the mediator of God’s forgiveness) are all participants of the ceremony. In addition to the penitent, the person seeking God’s forgiveness, who is also a participant of the ceremony of Reconciliation.
Stages
Confession, penance, contrition and absolution are the four main stages in the ceremony of Reconciliation.
These are in addition to the priest’s greeting and dismissal of the ceremony.
In the confession stage of Reconciliation the penitent names the areas of personal sin. The priest may offer counsel or suggest someone else who can help the penitent in a particular area.
In the penance stage of Reconciliation the priest asks the penitent to perform some act of penance which will strengthen this area of the penitent’s life.
In the contrition stage of Reconciliation the priest asks the penitent to say a short prayer which expresses their sorrow for sin and a resolution to change.
In the absolution stage of Reconciliation the priest extends his hand over the penitent and pronounces the words of absolution (forgiveness).
In the penance stage of Reconciliation the priest asks the penitent to perform some act of penance which will strengthen this area of the penitent’s life.
In the contrition stage of Reconciliation the priest asks the penitent to say a short prayer which expresses their sorrow for sin and a resolution to change.
In the absolution stage of Reconciliation the priest extends his hand over the penitent and pronounces the words of absolution (forgiveness).