Celebrating Reconciliation Resources for Advent ...

1 1 Celebrating ReconciliationResources for Advent penitential Service Form II1. Preparation Letting people know Hospitality Preparation of the Environment Visual focus2. Resourcesincluding texts Introductory Riteso Song Music Suggestionso Greetingo Opening Prayer Liturgy of the Wordo Readingso Homilyo Examination of Conscience Liturgy of Reconciliationo General Confession of Sinso Individual Confession & Absolution Music Suggestionso Proclamation of God s Mercy Music Suggestionso Concluding Prayer of Thanksgiving Concluding Riteo Blessingo Dismissal As people leaveAppendix Readings further suggestionsIt may be helpful to read this material in conjunction with the following Resources (www, ).

2 Resources for Parish Liturgy Groups Rite of Reconciliation Celebrating Reconciliation Together21. PreparationLetting people knowIt is helpful to give people as much notice as possible of the date and time yourparish s Advent celebration of the Rite of Penance. People s diaries get very fulltowards Christmas. The sooner they know when the service is going to be, the soonerit will be in their diary and the more likely they are to be able to take people prefer to attend Reconciliation services elsewhere than in their parish. Itmight be appreciated if local parishes shared information of when each was holdingtheir services , and put the details of the time and place of all local services in theirnewsletters and on notice-boards in good addition to times of the communal Penance services it can be useful to give detailsof times when priests will be available for individual confessions.

3 If priests are able tocelebrate the sacrament in languages other than English putting details of whichlanguages they can celebrate in will be of great advantage to those for whom English isnot their first language. Especially helpful will be details of those priests locally who areable to celebrate in British Sign will be done to ensure that the Liturgy itself is welcome and sensitive to theneeds and circumstances of those present. However first impressions are also veryimportant. A simple and quiet ministry of welcome perhaps just a word of welcomeor greeting, and handing a copy of the service sheet can make such a difference,especially if someone is coming to a penitential service for the first time for manyyears, perhaps even after many years away from the of environmentThe decoration of the Church should be both sensitive to the liturgical season ofAdvent and expressive of the sacrament of Reconciliation .

4 The liturgical colour purpleis associated with both these. It may be possible to use the church lighting effectively be aware of health and safety may be used in decorating the Church, but the General Instruction of theRoman Missal says that in Advent flowers are to be used in moderation. The use ofevergreen boughs would be especially appropriate, for both season and the parish has an Advent wreath it should be lit for this as for all Advent principal liturgical focus for decorating the church should be the ambo, fromwhere God s word is of the connection between the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament ofBaptism (Penance has sometimes been called the second baptism, or the baptism oftears) it would be appropriate also to decorate the font, and the holy water should also be given to the places for individual Reconciliation .

5 Theyshould be clearly designated and in a discrete space with thought given to how peoplewill approach. If people s confessions are to be heard seated it would be suitable toplace a low covered table at each position, with an open bible, a crucifix and a litcandle. These candles could be lit from a central candle at the beginning of the time ofIndividual Confession. If people s confessions are being heard standing it is generallymore difficult to decorate the place, but if they are being heard in a side chapel or3another such place something will be possible. Beware of placing candles on the floorwhere people will be standing, it is very easy for clothes to catch fire focusDuring the time for people s confessions period most people will be in their seats formost of the time.

6 There will be music and song to support them in their prayer, but avisual focus can also be of assistance. This might be provided by a large crucifix, orstatue or it might be something more directly linked to the action of confessionand absolution. Those who have been absolved might be invited to light a candle andplace it on a stand in front of the altar in which case make sure that there is plenty ofspace for the number of candles that will be lit. Candles placed too close together canmelt and the molten wax ignite. In any case make sure that you have at hand a CO2fire extinguisher, and someone who knows how to use it, just in case.

7 Another, andperhaps safer option, is to have a large bowl with lighted charcoals and invite thosewho have received absolution to take a few grains of incense and scatter them over thecharcoals. The charcoals will need replenishing every ten minutes or so, but thatshould be no great ResourcesIntroductory RitesSongA song accompanies the beginning of the celebration. The song should express themesof the season and of the celebration including the scripture readings. Gospel processionTwo possible ways of beginning: Procession of Ministers. The Gospel Book carried in procession and placed onthe altar. In some communities it may be appropriate to start in a more subdued and Ministers gather as a simple chant is sung.

8 All stand when the priestcelebrant enters, on his suggestions1 However the liturgy begins the music should assist, for example: a strong proclamationof the love of God for us to accompany a procession of ministers; a quiet chant callingon God s mercy for a more subdued in the latter half of Advent (after 17 December) the focus of the liturgyshifts to more direct preparation for the Lord s birth. Many Advent themes will besuitable: be prepared; the Lord coming to save his people; waiting. In most parishesServices of Reconciliation take place on a weekday evening check that the chosenmusic is not a morning song.

9 Penance Hymns, songs and chants about penitence, Reconciliation and mercy butalso about God s love for us, hope and trust in God and the Church should be given to the use of a psalm text. If not being used for theLiturgy of the Word one of the Common Psalms for Advent (see below) would besuitable. The rite also suggests using a sung Kyrie or Lord have mercy some settingswould work better in this context than othersPsalm 15 (16)Psalm 18 (19): 8 11 Psalm 22 (23)Psalm 24 (25)Psalm 26 (27)Psalm 41 42 (42 43)Psalm 50 (51)Psalm 84 (85)Psalm 90 (91)Psalm 102 (103)Psalm 129 (130)Psalm 138 (139)Grant to us, O LordHail to the Lord s anointedJesus, thou art comingLitany of the Word ( Advent Litany)Lord of life, we come to youLove divine, all loves excellingMy soul in stillness waitsO come divine MessiahO come, O come EmmanuelO comfort my peopleO Lord, be not mindfulO Lord, hear my prayerOn Jordan s bank 1 The music suggestions are offered are examples rather than as an exhaustive list.

10 Theyare taken from the three hymn books in common use: Celebration Hymnal for Everyone,Laudate and Liturgical Hymns Old and Benedictus (Luke 1: 68 79) Across the yearsBless the Lord, my soulCome, thou long-expected JesusCome to set us freeCreator of the stars of nightDo not be afraidGod to enfold youOstende nobis, DominePraise to you, O Christ our SaviourRorate Caeli Come Saviour, comeThere is a longingThere s a wideness in God s mercyTurn to meWait for the LordWord made fleshYou are mineSign of the CrossGreetingGrace, mercy and peacefrom God the Father and Jesus Christ his Sonbe with you in truth and And also with you,Greeting 52.