Ezekiel 36:23-28 I will sprinkle you with clean water…

Minister #1: Do I reflect the mercy of God in my relationship with others?

• 
  In my household, have I contributed to the well-being and happiness of the rest of my family? Am I patient? Am I loving?
  

• 
  Do I treat my parents with respect?
  

• 
  Am I ever angry with those I love?
  

• 
  Have I been faithful in my relationships?
  

• 
  Have I imposed my will on others without respecting their freedom and rights?
  

• 
  Have I perpetuated racism, prejudices and stereotypes?
  

• 
  Do I treat people with disabilities with respect?
  

Minister #2: Do I bring the love of God to the world?

• 
  Do I share my time and my treasure with others in need?
  

• 
  Do I fail to speak out on behalf of the poor or the oppressed?
  

• 
  Have I accepted suffering as a share in the suffering of Christ?
  

• 
  Have I indulged in reading, conversation, or entertainments that are contrary to Christian decency and respect for human life?
  

• 
  Do I use material resources wisely?
  

• 
  Do I purchase a lot of goods that I don’t really need?
  

Minister #1: Will I accept the forgiveness of God and change my way of life?

• 
  Am I ever afraid to act in a Christian manner, afraid of what others might think?
  

• 
  Is the hope of eternal life my inspiration for all I do?
  

• 
  Do I sincerely want to be set free from sin, turn again to God, and resolve to begin again?
  

• 
  Do I forgive others who have offended me?
  

RITE OF RECONCILIATION

GENERAL CONFESSION OF SIN

Presider: Brothers and sisters,

Let us call to mind the goodness of God our Father,

and acknowledge our sins,

so that we may receive his merciful forgiveness.
All: I confess to almighty God

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

that I have greatly sinned,

in my thoughts and in my words,

in what I have done

and what I have failed to do,

through my fault, through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

and I ask blessed Mary, ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,

and you my brothers and sisters,

to pray for me to the Lord our God.

LITANY
Presider: Christ our Lord was given up to death for our sins

and rose again for our justification.

Let us pray to him with confidence in his goodness.
Presider: You were sent with good news for the poor

and healing for the contrite.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You came to call sinners, not the just.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You forgave the many sins of the woman who showed

you great love.

All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You did not shun the company of outcasts and sinners.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You carried back to the fold the sheep that had strayed.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You did not condemn the woman taken in adultery,

but sent her away in peace.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You promised Paradise to the repentant thief.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You are the atonement for our sins and the sins of the world.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Presider: You became the source of salvation for all who obey you.
All: Lord, have mercy.

LORD’S PRAYER

Presider: Let us now pray to God our Father

in the words our Savior gave us,

and ask him for forgiveness and protection from all evil.
All: Our Father…

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Presider: Deliver us, Father, from every evil

as we unite ourselves through penance

with the saving passion of your Son.

Grant us a share in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus

who is Lord forever and ever.
All: Amen.

INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION OF SIN AND ABSOLUTION

Then the penitents go to the priests designated for individual confession, and confess their sins. Each one receives and accepts a fitting act of satisfaction and is absolved. After hearing the confession and offering suitable counsel, the priest extends his hands over the penitent’s head (or at least extends his right hand) and gives him absolution. Everything else which is customary in individual confession is omitted.

Pastoral Note: The presider or other minister may indicate to the assembly where the confessors will be located. Some brief words regarding the manner of confessions should be given. The people may be encouraged to accept one of the penances which are found in the booklet for the celebration or the confessors may give a penance suited to the individual. The assembly may be advised to remain in church if there is to be a common ending. Quiet instrumental music might be played during this time.



PRAYER OF ABSOLUTION
Confessor: 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 grant 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.
Penitent: Amen.
After the absolution, the priest continues:
Confessor: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Penitent: His mercy endures forever.
Then the priest dismisses the penitent who has been reconciled, saying:
May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all

the saints,

whatever good you do and suffering you endure,

heal your sins,

help you to grow in holiness,

and reward you with eternal life.

Go in peace.

PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE FOR GOD’S MERCY
When the individual confessions have been completed, the other priests stand near the one who is presiding over the celebration. The latter invites all present to offer thanks and encourages them to do good works which will proclaim the grace of repentance in the life of the entire community and each of its members. It is fitting for all to sing a psalm or hymn or to say a litany in acknowledgement of God’s power and mercy, for example, the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:46-55) or Ps 136:1-9, 13-14, 16, 25-26, or one of the psalms as given in the Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession, no. 206 (listed below).

Psalm 28: 6-7 Psalm 136: 1-9, 13-14, 16, 25-29

Psalm 32: 1-7, 10-11 Psalm 145: 1-21

Psalm 54 Psalm 146:2-10

Psalm 66 Isaiah 61: 10-11

Psalm 95 Daniel 3:52-57

Psalm 98: 1-9 Luke 1:46-55 (Magnificat)

Psalm 100: 1-5 Ephesians 1:3-10

Psalm 103: 1-4, 8-18 Revelation 15: 3-4

Psalm 119: 1, 10-16, 18, 33, 105, 169-170, 174-175

CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
After the song of praise or the litany, the priest concludes the common prayer:
Presider: All-holy Father,

you have shown us your mercy

and made us a new creation

in the likeness of your Son.

Make us living signs of your love

for the whole world to see.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All : Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
Then the priest blesses all present:
Presider: May the Lord guide your hearts in the way of his love and fill you with Christ-like patience.
All: Amen.
Presider: May he give you strength to walk in newness of life and to please him in all things.
All: Amen.
Presider: May almighty God bless you,

the Father, and the Son,  and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.
DISMISSAL
The deacon or other minister or the priest himself dismisses the assembly:
The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.
All answer:
Thanks be to God.

READINGS
FIRST READING Deuteronomy 30:15-20
A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy
I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom
Moses said to the people:

“Today I have set before you

life and prosperity, death and doom.

If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God,

which I am giving you today,

loving the Lord, your God, and walking in his ways,

and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,

you will live and grow numerous,

and the Lord, your God,

will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.

If, however, your heart turns away and you do not obey,

but are led astray and bow down to other gods and serve them,

I tell you today that you will certainly perish;

you will not have a long life

on the land

which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.

I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:

I have set before you life and death,

the blessing and the curse.

Choose life, then,

that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him.

For that will mean life for you,

a long life for you to live on the land which the Lord swore

he would give to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Antiphon: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;

Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to my voice in supplication.
Antiphon: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities,

Lord, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness,

that you may be revered.
Antiphon: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
I trust in the Lord;

my soul trusts in his word.

More than sentinals wait for the dawn,

let Israel wait for the Lord.
Antiphon: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
For with the Lord is kindness

and with him is plenteous redemption;

and he will redeem Israel

from all their iniquities.
Antiphon: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

SECOND READING Ephesians 1:3-6
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians:
He destined us for adoption to himself

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in Christ

with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,

as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,

to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,

in accord with the favor of his will,

for the praise of the glory of his grace

that he granted us in the beloved.
The word of the Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Verse: I will get up and go to my Father and shall say to him:

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

GOSPEL Luke 15:1-10
A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke
His father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion
Jesus addressed this parable to them:

“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,

‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’

So the father divided the property between them.

After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings

and set off to a distant country

where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.

When he had freely spent everything,

a severe famine struck that country,

and he found himself in dire need.

So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens

who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.

And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,

but nobody gave him any.

Coming to his senses he thought,

‘How many of my father’s hired workers

have more than enough food to eat,

but here am I, dying from hunger.

I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I no longer deserve to be called your son;

treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’

So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off,

his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

His son said to him,

‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;

I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants,

‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;

put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

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.’

Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field

and, on his way back, as he neared the house,

he heard the sound of music and dancing.

He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.

The servant said to him,

‘Your brother has returned

and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf

because he has him back safe and sound.’

He became angry,

and when he refused to enter the house,

his father came out and pleaded with him.

He said to his father in reply,

‘Look, all these years I served you

and not once did I disobey your orders;

yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.

But when your son returns

who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,

for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’

He said to him,

‘My son, you are here with me always;

everything I have is yours.

But now we must celebrate and rejoice,

because your brother was dead and has come to life again;

he was lost and has been found.’”
The Gospel of the Lord.

SAMPLE PENANCES

Choose one of the following penances.
SUGGESTED PENANCES FOR ADULTS

• 
  “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path” (Ps. 119:105).
  

Pray one of the seven penitential Psalms (Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, or 143) and reflect on its meaning in your life.

• 
  “Whatever you did for one of these… you did for Me” (Mt. 25:40).
  

Make a call to someone who is ill or alone. Plan a visit and bring a meal.

• 
  “I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone” (1 Tim 2:1).
  

Spend an hour in prayer for all those who do not know the love and mercy of Jesus.

• 
  “I am not ashamed of the Gospel: it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16).
  

Extend an invitation to an unchurched person to come to Mass with you.

• 
  “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…you are not your own…therefore, glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20).
  

Think of one thing that you are consuming that is bad for your health. Eliminate it for one month and donate that money to a soup kitchen.

• 
  “Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).
  

Identify a person whom you have difficulty forgiving and pray for them each day for a week.

• 
  “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28).
  

Reflect on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Find someone who corresponds to one of those needs, such as one who mourns, and send them a note or visit them during Lent.

• 
  “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
  

Reflect on one of the following Lenten readings from Cycle B:

1 Peter 3:18-22 Baptism Mark 9:2-10 Transfiguration

Romans 8:31-34 He intercedes for us Exodus 20:1-17 The Commandments

Ephesians 2:4-10 God is rich in mercy John 3:14-21 God so loved the world

John 12:20-33 When I am lifted up John 11:1-45 I am the resurrection

SUGGESTED PENANCES FOR YOUTH

• 
  “My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation” (Psalm 62:2)
  

Eliminate TV, texting and internet for one night. Read and reflect on one of the following passages:

Jeremiah 29:11-14 The plans I have for you 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Love is kind

1 Peter 5:5-9 Advice to youth Matthew 5:1-16 Beatitudes

Matthew 25:31-46 Blessed of my Father John 6 I am the Bread of Life

• 
  “Whatever you did for one of these… you did for Me” (Mt. 25:40).
  

Reach out to a lonely person in class and encourage one other person to do the same. Have lunch with that person.

• 
  “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt. 6:21) Donate a part of your earnings to the poor through the poor box or to the parish St Vincent de Paul Society.
  

• 
  “Do not neglect to do good… God is pleased with sacrifices of that kind (Heb 13:16).
  

For three nights, do the dishes or set the table without being asked.

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