Posted on 02/19/2007 7:10:34 PM PST by NYer
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The baptized need to rediscover the sacrament of reconciliation so that they can experience "the boundless renewing power of divine love," says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today when receiving in audience Cardinal James Stafford, major penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, with the prelates and officials of that tribunal, as well as the penitentiary fathers of the patriarchal basilicas of Rome.
"In the gesture of absolution, uttered in the name and on account of the Church, the confessor becomes the conscious means of a wonderful event of grace," the Holy Father said in his address.
"On adhering with docility to the magisterium of the Church, he becomes minister of the consoling mercy of God, makes the reality of sin manifest and at the same time the boundless renewing power of divine love, a love that gives life again," the Pontiff added.
Thus confession becomes "a spiritual rebirth, which transforms the penitent into a new creature," he stated.
Only God
Benedict XVI continued: "Only God can realize this miracle of grace, and he does so through the words and gestures of the priest. On experiencing the Lord's tenderness and forgiveness, the penitent more easily acknowledges the gravity of sin and reinforces his decision to avoid it and to remain and grow in his renewed friendship with him.
"In virtue of presbyterial ordination, the confessor carries out a particular service 'in persona Christi.'"
The Holy Father invited priests to also experience God's forgiveness: "Given such a lofty responsibility, human strength is undoubtedly inadequate."
The Pope continued: "We cannot preach forgiveness and reconciliation to others, if we are not personally penetrated by it.
"Christ has chosen us, dear priests, to be the only ones who can forgive sins in his name: Therefore, it is a specific ecclesial service to which we must give priority."
"How many people in difficulties seek the support and consolation of Christ!" Benedict XVI added. "How many penitents find the peace and joy in confession that they have been pursuing for a long time! How can we not acknowledge that also in our time, marked by so many religious and social challenges, this sacrament must be rediscovered and proposed again."
May I make a recommendation besides saying the daily rosary for your parish? I would start a mini-campaign of leaflets. There is an EXCELLENT one from Tan Books called Our Lady's Peace Plan from Heaven. If you buy it in bulk it's very cheap. I can almost guarantee you, if people pick this up and read it, many will be convicted to live better lives and be better Catholics.
Another one would be to promote the devotion to the Divine Mercy. There are little booklets/leaflets for this as well.
One little leaflet could save a multitude of souls.
I don't mind being one of the few "mick families" in a largely German parish. We have one heckuva Oktoberfest and lots of great German "oompah music" and sauerbrauten & dumplings at Parish functions.
I still manage to smuggle in my Guinness though...(and have corned beef and cabbage on my breath).
Slainte!
;-o)
Another issue that no one seems to know is that confession is a sacrament which delivers sacramental grace. You don't need to commit a murder to confess. I regularly realize how much I break the "sub-sins" of the 10 Commandments and fall into the 7 deadly sins. I'm never at a loss to confess, even if it's merely sins of omission.
I have tried the "leaflet" thing at various parishes. Unfortunately, if it doesn't come from the pulpit, it is a very tough road to hoe. A friend of mine has a young priest for Associate Pastor who prays three hours a day (Divine Office, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, etc.). He was getting grief because he was "not doing his paperwork!" It's a good thing I wasn't there! What he is doing is getting grace and gifts of the Spirit which keep him being the superb young priest he is! His sermons are masterpieces! And the lines at confession for HIM are long!
That's wonderful, what a blessing those people have, to have such a priest.
I'm sorry your leaflet campaign didn't work.
And then there are those of us who do all 3!
I think the "smells and bells" is an important feature of our faith in practice.
https://consecration.com/
These are the leaflets I leave. I'm not sure they don't work; I'm just not there to see how effective they are.
When you are "called" you will know. I consecrated myself years ago with two friends. We renew our consecration each year on August 15th, the day we took our initial consecration.
I think the "tap on the shoulder" comes and people respond immediately or maybe years later but they all seem to invariably respond. You can't say "no" it seems!
F
Catholic bump!
have Our Lady's Peace Plan leaflets, I've been leaving them at the DMV and the airport."
What a coincidence that you're doing it already!!!! Wow!!
I keep prodding my pastor and he is going to have a full homily on confession this week. We are also having a "Fathers of Mercy" priest from Kentucky here in March for a Mission. They are active with EWTN.
I pray for them all.
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