Reconciliation of a Penitent (aka Aural Confession) Monday, March 25-Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Reconciliation of a Penitent is a rite in the Book of Common Prayer by which a minister of the church pronounces forgiveness of sin to a penitent in the name of Christ and the Church. It is particularly apt during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent.

Charlie+ will be providing opportunities to hear confession Monday through Wednesday during Holy Week. Time can be scheduled by emailing Charlie+.

The secrecy of a confession is morally binding upon the clergy and will not to be broken. The content of the confession is not normally a matter of subsequent discussion. It is the Anglican belief in aural (heard) confession that, “all may, some should, and none must.” It can be a powerful and life-changing experience, especially for those who struggle to feel forgiven.

Charlie+ will be using the Rite of Reconciliation of Penitents from pages 223-224 of the ACNA Book of Common Prayer (2019). The rite appears below:

The Penitent begins

Bless me, for I have sinned.

The Priest says

The Lord be in your heart and upon your lips that you may truly and humbly confess your sins: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Penitent: I confess to Almighty God, to his Church, and to you, that I have sinned by my own fault in thought, word, and deed, in things done and left undone; especially __________. For these and all other sins that I cannot now remember, I am truly sorry. I pray God to have mercy on me. I firmly intend amendment of life, and I humbly beg forgiveness of God and his Church, and ask you for counsel, direction, and absolution.

Here the Priest may offer counsel, direction, and comfort.

The Priest then declares

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given power to his Church to absolve all sinners who truly repent and believe in him, of his great mercy forgive you all your offenses; and by his authority committed to me, I absolve you from all your sins: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

or

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord has put away all your sins.

Penitent: Thanks be to God.

The following prayer may also be said

Let us pray. O most loving Father, by your mercy you put away the sins of those who truly repent, and remember their sins no more. Restore and renew in your servant whatever has been corrupted by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by his own selfish will and weakness. Preserve and protect him within the fellowship of the Church; hear his prayers and relieve his pain; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest concludes

Go (or abide) in peace, and pray for me, a sinner.