Reconciliation service - Cafod

examination of conscience (below),allowing plenty of time for people toreflect. Invite the group to write wordsor phrases or draw symbolsrepresenting what they’re sorry for ona piece of paper, which is just for themand nobody else to see (even if they goto a priest for SacramentalReconciliation where they can explaintheir sins verbally).5 Tell the group that now we havethought about how we have donewrong, it is time to say sorry and askfor God’s forgiveness. Read out Ezekiel36:25-28.6 If a priest is available for individualSacramental Reconciliation, this is thetime to invite people to speak to him.Ask for patience from the members ofthe group until everyone is finished,but emphasise how important this timeof quiet and reflection is in preparing toreceive the Sacrament. Once all thegroup have been, you may like to skipthe next few steps and go straight tothe sign of peace and makingcommitments.7 Invite the group to approach the bowl/sof water one-by-one, fold or tear uptheir piece of paper and place it in theempty bowl/basket whilst silentlyasking for God’s forgiveness. They arethen invited to dip their hands in thewater and gently wash them and thendry them on the towel. You could put acopy of Ez 36:26 by the bowl and askpeople to focus on the words of God asthey cleanse themselves or getdifferent voices to slowly repeat Ez36:25-28 whilst people are doing this.8 Once everyone is finished, you may likepeople to offer each other the sign ofpeace before making commitments toactions or new attitudes which they willendeavour to live out in their lives,putting into practice the ‘new heart’and ‘new spirit’ from Ezekiel. Introducethis by reading out or showing theGreat generation poster and giveeveryone a postcard to write theircommitment on and take away withthem to keep as a reminder. You couldprint stickers with Ez 36:26 and stickthem on one side of the back of thepostcard.9 At this point your priest may like tooffer a final blessing, or you could usethe closing prayer (see below).10 Finish with the sign of the cross.3

PRAYERSOPENING PRAYERLoving FatherWe come to you with all our potentialbut having made mistakesHaving done wrong in our action andinactionYou wipe clean the slate and show usthat we can start afresh.Your gentle words forgive us when wedo wrongLet us learn from you so that we canforgive those who hurt, betray or ignoreus.Help us not to hold grudges but to moveon with a new attitude of peace.Teach us not to repeat the mistakes ofthe past To reach out to those in needand speak out against injustice To builda new world of equality and fairness,both in our own lives and for all people.Amen.EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCEThink of the times when:you witnessed or were part of somethingthat wasn’t fairyou stayed quiet when you should havespoken upyou did something despite someoneasking you not toyou thought only of yourself and not ofother peopleyou kept your things to yourself anddidn’t share them with people who needthem more than youyou chose not to give your money, timeor skills to other peopleyou bought things which were made bypeople who weren’t paid or treatedproperlyyour actions had a negative effect on theenvironmentyou went along with the crowd becauseit was easier than standing outACT OF CONTRITIONO my God,because you are so good,I am very sorry that I have sinnedagainst you,and with the help of your graceI will not sin again.Amen.orLord God,in your goodness have mercy on me;do not look on my sins,but take away all my guilt.Create in me a new, clean heartand renew me with a new way ofthinking.AmenorFather, I have sinned against youand am not worthy to be called yourchild.Be merciful to me, a sinner.Amen.CLOSING PRAYERLord, we come before you cleansed andready for a new start Fill our hearts andour minds with your love and your spiritSo that we can make the right choicesand do the right things And build a newworld of equality and fairness, both inour own lives and for all people.Amen.© CAFOD/Anna Field, 2008Acts of Contrition taken from Rite of Penance © 1974, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL).Please acknowledge CAFOD when reproducing any of this material. To download or order the resources mentioned here and for manymore, visit cafod.org.uk/youthleaders4