Confession: Homecoming & the Fattened Calf

Lent is a time when many choose to go to confession in anticipation of Easter.  At SMU, we offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation before the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Below are more details on how it works at Perkins Chapel as well as information about confession times at nearby parishes.  But in addition to reminding us of the time and procedure for confession at SMU, I wanted to offer some thoughts on the sacrament and what it means to the whole community as well as the person seeking the sacrament.  I found this helpful reflection by Fr. Tom Richstatter, O.F.M., a popular writer and professor at St. Meinrad’s Seminary:

"Think…of the parable of the prodigal son. The boy who had cut himself off from the life of the family was now to be readmitted to the daily family table. He admitted his fault and asked forgiveness. Yet to restore the son's place, a special celebration of reconciliation and homecoming was needed. "Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found" (Luke 15:23-24).

For those Catholics who have cut ourselves off from God and the Church by serious (grave, mortal) sin and now wish to return to God's table (many Catholics find this situation rarely happens in their lives), the Church offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation to celebrate their "homecoming." This is the only time when Catholics are required to celebrate the sacrament. But we celebrate Reconciliation not merely because we have to, but because it is a sacrament—a sign and celebration of God showing forth his mercy "by reconciling the world to himself in Christ and by making peace for all things on earth and in heaven by the blood of Christ on the cross"—as we read in the very first words of the Rite of Penance.

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is not merely a time for spiritual direction (as wholesome as that is), or a time for seeking moral guidance (as necessary as that may be at times). Reconciliation is primarily a sacrament—an act of corporate worship which builds up the Body of Christ. The Church affirmed this understanding in the first document of Vatican II, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: "Liturgical services are not private functions, but are celebrations belonging to the Church" (#26), and "Whenever rites, according to their specific nature, make provision for communal celebration involving the presence and active participation of the faithful, it is to be stressed that this way of celebrating them is to be preferred, as far as possible, to a celebration that is individual and, so to speak, private" (#27).

That is why, in addition to a rite for Reconciliation that is individual (one penitent and one priest) the new rite offers communal rites for the celebration of the sacrament. Communal celebrations show more clearly that Reconciliation is a sacrament, a corporate act of worship. When we celebrate together as a parish family, we are reminded of the social nature of sin—that every sin, even the most private and personal sin, has implications for the larger community. In addition, when we celebrate Reconciliation with others, we are more clearly reminded of our obligation to "forgive those who trespass against us" even as we ask God to forgive us our trespasses.

Interpersonal forgiveness and reconciliation are part of the hoped-for outcomes of this sacrament. Christianity stresses the relation of the "horizontal" and the "vertical"—interpersonal forgiveness and divine forgiveness. "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Mt 5:23-24)."

Fr. Richstatter's entire article can be found at www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0800.asp

The Sacrament of  Reconciliation is available at Perkins Chapel each Sunday prior to the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Here’s how it works: At 4:30 p.m., Monsignor Duca will be in the bridal room which is located through the double doors that are to the left of the altar when facing it.  Since the room is not designed as a confessional, we’ve had to get a little creative to make the sacrament available either face-to-face or anonymously.  When you enter the room, Monsignor Duca sits with his back to the door.  Sit in the chair in front of him if you want make your confession face-to-face; otherwise, sit in the chair behind him to remain anonymous.

If this time is not convenient for you, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is also offered weekly at nearby parishes.  Christ the King Catholic Church offers Reconciliation each Saturday from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. The church is located north on Preston Rd. just south of Northwest Highway at 8017 Preston Rd.  At St. Thomas Aquinas parish confessions are heard at the following times: Tuesday: 8:45 to 9:30 a.m., Thursday: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday: 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. The church is located at 6306 Kenwood Ave., a few blocks south of Mockingbird Ln. off Abrams Rd.