Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance, is a sacrament in which a person confesses their sins to a priest, who acts in the person of Christ and offers absolution, or forgiveness. The purpose of Confession is to restore the individual to a state of grace by absolving them of their sins, especially mortal sins, and to help them reconcile with God and the Church.
Going to Confession
The Sacrament of Confession is available every Saturday afternoon in Ashbourne Church from 5pm to 6pm. Priests are also in the church for several hours for the celebration of the sacrament on Ash Wednesday and in the days before the major Christian feasts of Easter and Christmas. The times of Penitential ceremonies at Easter and Christmas are published both in the newsletters and noticeboards of our parish two weeks before they take place.
All Catholics are welcome to receive the Sacrament of God’s Mercy. Before going to confession, it is a good idea to spend some time in silence and prayer, opening one’s heart to the Lord either at home or in the church. Ask God to inspire you and reflect upon what has happened since your last confession including both gifts that God has given you and the sins that you have committed. Make a good examination of conscience reflecting on how you may have failed to love God and your neighbour as yourself.
In the company of the priest make the sign of the cross. You begin by saying ‘Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been a number of months since my last confession. At this stage mention when you last received the sacrament. Name the sins that you wish to confess truthfully and completely. There is no need to go into unnecessary detail. The priest may give word of advice and encouragement before proposing a suitable penance. He will then invite you to make an act of contrition or sorrow. If you need help with the prayer, the priest will be glad to help. Extending his hands towards you, the priest then prays the Prayer of Absolution. The priest will conclude by saying that your sins are forgiven, and you are invited to go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Sometimes people ask how often should they go to confession? It is advised that people with a living faith receive the sacrament at least twice a year. Parents with children who have received confession are particularly asked to bring their children to the sacrament regularly so that the children experience the benefits of a good examination of conscience and the abundance of God’s mercy.
First Confession for Children
The sacrament of confession is available to children for the first time while they are receiving instruction in Year 3 of the ‘Grow in Love’ religious catechetical program. In Ashbourne parish this means that children normally receive this sacrament while in first class in a Catholic school.
In January each year our Parish Priest announces the approach of Lent and invites parents to request the sacrament of confession for their child. Parents put forward their child in writing so that both the school religion teacher and priests know the children for instruction. A few weeks later our priests meet with the children and their teachers for catechesis in Ashbourne Church. Masses for the parents and first confession children take place annually on the first Sunday of Lent.
The sacrament is conferred upon the children in the presence of their parents on various Saturday afternoons of Lent. In our parish the parents bring their child to the church and after a few moments in private prayer they bring their child to the priest. They introduce themselves to the priest and present their child for the sacrament. On returning to their seat as a sign of God’s unconditional love the parents give their child a hug. The parents are most welcome themselves to receive the sacrament. The idea is that children learn by example. If parents have a good experience of confession their children will pick that up from them.
