S t u d e n t
M a t e r i a l s
S e ss i o n
F o u r
First Reconciliation
“We love
God with all
our hearts”
We just listened to the Word of God.
We heard the story of the Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd cares for all his sheep.
Even if one is missing he will
leave the rest and go after it.
The Good Shepherd loves his sheep.
When he finds the lost sheep he picks it up.
He places the lost sheep on his shoulders.
What do you like best
about this story?
What does the
Shepherd do when he
finds the lost sheep?
We use our hands to say many things.
We use them to salute the flag.
This shows we are patriotic.
We use our hands to make
the sign of the cross.
This shows we believe in the Trinity.
Can you name some other ways we
use our hands in a good way to say
something?
Absolution and
Reconciliation
When we celebrate the sacrament
of reconciliation,
we confess our sins.
We do this because we know it is
important to name the ways
we have sinned against God,
others, and ourselves.
Next we receive a penance.
We accept this penance
because we know that
“actions speak louder than words.”
This shows we are trying to
change the way we live.
After we have done all of these things,
the priest gives us absolution.
He places his hands over our head.
He prays the special prayer
of absolution.
Absolution means that our
sins are forgiven.
The priest extends his hands
over our head.
This shows that God embraces
us as his repentant child.
It is just like Jesus who places the
lost sheep on his shoulders.
It means that we are now made one
with God and one another.
We have been brought back
to the sheepfold.
When this happens, we are more
deeply filled with God.
We are a new person.
We are ready to go out and love our
neighbor even more than before.
We are ready to live more like Jesus.
When we celebrate
the sacrament of
reconciliation, the
entire Church rejoices.
“See, I have written your name upon the
palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16
This is the prayer of absolution.
(We respond with “amen.” We say “yes” we believe.)
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.
Response:
Amen.
We Celebrate the Sacrament You will be celebrating the sacrament
of reconciliation very soon. Make sure you prepare for this very special moment. Before you come to
church, take time to pray to God. Remember how God always loves you. Think of ways you have failed
against God’s commandments.
When you come to church to
celebrate the sacrament of
reconciliation with your family
and parish community,
this is what will happen:
Then the priest will pray the
prayer of absolution.
You will respond: “Amen.”
After everyone has done these
things, the entire community
will give praise for God’s loving
mercy.
The celebration will end with a
closing prayer and song.
You will sing the opening song
and listen to the opening prayer.
You will hear God speaking to
you from the readings of the
Bible.
The priest may give a brief
homily.
There will be time to examine
your conscience.
Everyone will pray the Lord’s
Prayer.
This is a special day for the
entire Church.
You have been reconciled to God.
Jesus embraces you with his great love.
There is great rejoicing just like in
the story of the lost sheep.
Then each person will go to a
priest and confess their sins.
The priest will give you a
penance.
This is why we celebrate the
sacrament of reconciliation
as often as we can.