Individual Rite of Reconciliation

Confessions are held on Saturdays from 3:15-3:45 p.m. at St. Augustine and by appointment. The Catholic Community of Jeffersonville hold Community Penance Services during Advent and Lent.

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, take time to examine your conscience. Pray for the Holy Spirit's help - The Ten Commandments   |  The Beatitudes  |   Moral Practices

There are five parts to the Sacrament of Penance:

Welcome

The priest will welcome you and invite you to pray the Sign of the Cross.

Sometimes, the priest reads or recites a passage from the Bible. Sometimes,  he will invite you to read the Scripture yourself.

Confession

Confess your sins.
Tell the priest any ways you have failed to keep God's Commandments.
Tell the priest about any unloving actions. The priest will talk to you about how to do better.

Sorrow

Express sorrow for your sins. Pray the Act of Contrition.
Tell the priest a way you especially want to grow.

Penance

The priest gives you a penance. This is a way of making up.
A penance is often a prayer to pray or a loving action to do.

Absolution

The priest holds his hand over your head and prays the prayer of absolution. As he says the final words, he makes the Sign of the Cross.

Prayer of Absolution

The priest says:

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.

You respond: Amen.

The priest then dismisses you.