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The Book of Common Prayer | ||||||
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Pastoral Offices
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Concerning Marriage Holy Matrimony is unique. In the other Sacraments the priest pours the water on the child; he breaks the Bread; he anoints with oil; he says the words of pardon; the Bishop lays his hands on persons to be confirmed or ordained. But in Holy Matrimony it is the couple who make the Sacrament by their vows before God, who gives them the grace to keep them. Marriage is not a party, it is not a feast, not a filming and not a parade. It is not a "doing something" event; it is very simply, very profoundly a willing. The bride and groom will to live according to God's Holy Word and ordinance. A summation of the teaching of Holy Scripture concerning Marriage is found at the end of the Order for Marriage (1549). The courtship is easy, for then each party is free. But Marriage is not a competition; rather it is a joint operation, a cooperative enterprise, a partnership on equal terms. After the vows are exchanged the very hard work of married life, the endless (till death us do part) task, the nothing thought, the nothing said, the nothing done — without first considering the spouse — begins. Marriage is a union which, like all Sacraments, has two aspects — one physical, the other spiritual. It is a marriage of bodies and minds: broader horizons to be glimpsed, new depths of insight to be followed, and surely joy, patience and love developed. Each day is new; "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath."
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The Celebration and At the time appointed. the persons to be married, with their witnesses, assemble in the church or some other appropriate place. During the entrance. a hymn. psalm, or anthem may be sung. or instrumental music may be played. Then the Celebrant, facing the people and the persons to be married, with the woman to the right and the man to the left, addresses the congregation and says Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifieth unto us the mystery of the union betwixt Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commendeth it to be honored among all people. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. Into this holy union N. N. and N. N. now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace. Then the Celebrant says to the persons to be married I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why ye may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's Word, ye do now confess it. The Declaration of Consent The Celebrant says to the man N., wilt thou have this woman to be thy wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as ye both shall live? The Man answers I will. The Celebrant says to the woman N., wilt thou have this man to be thy husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as ye both shall live? I will. The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? If there is to be a presentation or giving in marriage, it takes place at this time. Celebrant Who giveth this woman to be married to this man? The Ministry of the Word The Lord be with you. Let us pray. O gracious and everliving God, who hast created us male and female in thine image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come unto thee seeking thy blessing, and so assist them with thy grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Then one or more of the following passages from Holy Scripture is read. If there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always concludes the Readings. Genesis 1:26-28 (Male and female he created them) I Corinthians 13:1-13 (Love is patient and kind) Between the Readings, a Psalm, hymn, or anthem may be sung or said. Appropriate Psalms are 67,127, and 128. When a passage from the Gospel is to be read, all stand, and the Deacon or Minister appointed says |
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The Lord be with you |
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| The  Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to _____________ .People Glory be to thee, O Lord. Matthew 5:1-10 (The Beatitudes) After the Gospel, the Reader says The Gospel of the Lord. A homily or other response to the readings may follow. The Marriage The Man, facing the woman and taking her right hand in his, says In the Name of God. I, N., take thee. N., to be my wife. to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow. Then they loose their hands, and the Woman, still facing the man, takes his right hand in hers. and says In the Name of God. I. N., take thee. N., to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer. in sickness and in health. to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow. They loose their hands. The Priest may ask God's blessing on a ring or rings as follows Bless, O Lord, this ring to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The giver places the ring on the ring-finger of the other's hand and says N., I give thee this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor thee, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then the Celebrant joins the right hands of husband and Wife and says Now that N. and N. have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. The Prayers The Lord's Prayer may be said, the Celebrant first saying "And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say ... ". Let us pray. Eternal God, who art the creator and preserver of all life, the author of salvation, and the giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the ·world thou hast made, and for which thy Son gave his life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom thou dost make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Amen. Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be unto the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen. Grant that their wills may be so knit together in thy will, and their spirits in thy Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with thee and with one another all the days of their life. Amen. Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek one another's forgiveness and thine. Amen. Make their life together a sign of Christ's love unto this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen. |
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| Bestow upon them, if it be thy will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know thee, to love thee, and to serve thee. Amen. | |
Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen. Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all thy children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by thy grace, that thy will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with thy Son and the Holy Ghost, thou livest and reignest in perfect unity, now and forever. Amen. The Blessing of the Marriage The people remain standing. The husband and wife kneel, and the Priest says one of the following prayers Most gracious God, we give thee thanks for thy tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life. We thank thee, also, for consecrating the union of man and woman in his Name. By the power of thy Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of thy blessing upon this man and this woman. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in thy mercy, bring them to that table where thy saints feast for ever in thy heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. or this O God, who hast so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity betwixt Christ and his Church: Send therefore thy blessing upon these thy servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. The husband and wife still kneeling, the Priest adds this blessing God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen. The Peace The Celebrant may say to the people The peace of the Lord be always with you. The newly married couple then greet each other, after which greetings may be exchanged throughout the congregation. When Communion is not to follow, the wedding party leaves the church. A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played.
The liturgy continues with the Offertory, at which the newly married couple may present the offerings of bread and wine. Preface of Marriage Communion of the People At Communion, it is appropriate that the newly married couple receive Communion first, after the ministers. In place of the usual postcommunion prayer, the following is said. O God, the giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious: We give thee thanks for binding us together in these holy mysteries of the Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by thy Holy Spirit, N. and N., now joined in Holy Matrimony, may become one in heart and soul, live in fidelity and peace, and obtain those eternal joys prepared for all who love thee; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. As the wedding party leaves the church, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung; or instrumental music may be played.
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The Blessing of a Civil MarriageThe Rite begins as prescribed for celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, using the Collect and Lessons appointed in the Marriage service. After the gospel (and homily), the husband and wife stand before the Celebrant, who addresses them in these or similar words N., and N., ye have come here today to seek the blessing of God and of his Church upon your marriage. I require, therefore, that ye promise, with the help of God, to fulfill the obligations which Christian Marriage demands. The Celebrant then addresses the husband, saying N., thou hast taken N. to be thy wife. Dost thou promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to her as long as ye both shall live? The Husband answers I do. The Celebrant then addresses the wife, saying N., thou hast taken N. to be thy husband. Dost thou promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to him as long as ye both shall live? The Wife answers I do. The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying Will ye who have witnessed these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? People We will. If a ring or rings are to be blessed, the Wife extends her hand (and the husband extends his hand) toward the Priest, who says Bless, O Lord, this ring to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Celebrant joins the right hands of the husband and wife and says Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. The Congregation responds Amen. The service continues with the Prayers on page 316. |
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Concerning the Service The following is an adaptation of the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony from the First English Book of Common Prayer (1549). The service may be used in its entirety, or it may be used as a resource. The exhortation found at the end concerning the teaching of Holy Scripture on Marriage is particularly beneficial.
An Order for MarriageAt the time appointed, the persons to be married, with their witnesses, assemble in the church or some other appropriate place. During their entrance, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played. Then the Celebrant, facing the people and the persons to be married, with the woman to the right and the man to the left, addresses the congregation and says Dearly beloved friends: We are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony, which is an honorable estate instituted of God in paradise, in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church, which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honored among all men. It therefore is not to be entered into or undertaken unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for the procreation of children, who are to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord and in praise of God. It was ordained also as a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication, that such persons as be married might live chastely in matrimony and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into this holy estate N. N. and N. N. come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined so together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace. Then the Celebrant says to the persons to be married I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God (as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed) that if either of you do know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, and in accordance with God's Word, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as be coupled together otherwise than God's word doth allow are not joined of God, neither is their marriage lawful. The Celebrant lays to the man N., wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only to her so long as you both shall live? The man answers I will. The Celebrant says to the woman N., wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband; to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only to him so long as ye both shall live? The woman answers I will. Then shall the Celebrant say Who giveth this woman to be married to this man? Presenter(s) I do. The Man, facing the woman and taking her right hand in his, says I, N., take thee, N., to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth. Then they loose their hands, and the Woman, still facing the man, takes his right hand in hers, and says I, N., take thee, N., to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth. They loose their hands. The Priest may bless the ring(s), after which the giver places the ring on the ring-finger of the other's hand and says With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall the man and the woman kneel down, and the Celebrant shall say Let us pray. O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name, that as Isaac and Rebecca (after bracelets and jewels of gold given of the one to the other for tokens of their matrimony) lived faithfully together; so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received, is a token and pledge. And may ever remain in perfect love and peace together; and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then the Celebrant joins the right hands of husband and wife and says Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And the Priest, or Bishop, if present, shall add this blessing God the Father bless you. Then shall be said or sung Psalm 128 or Psalm 67. The man and woman kneeling before the altar the Celebrant shall say Lord, have mercy upon us. Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; R. But deliver us from evil. Amen. V. O Lord, save thy servant and thine handmaid; Let us pray. O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their minds, that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfill the same. Look, 0 Lord, mercifully upon them from heaven, and bless them. And as thou didst send thy Angel Raphael to Tobias and Sara, the daughter of Raguel, to their great comfort; so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon these thy servants, that they, obeying thy will and always being in safety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto their life's end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The prayer following shall be omitted when the woman is beyond child-bearing age. O merciful Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased: We beseech thee, assist with thy blessing these two persons, that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly love and honesty that they may see their children's children, unto the third and fourth generation, unto thy praise and honor, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God who by thy mighty power hast made all things of naught, who also after other things set in order didst appoint that out of man (created after thine own image and similitude) woman should take her beginning, and, knitting them together, didst teach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by matrimony hadst made one. O God, who hast consecrated the state of matrimony to such an excellent mystery that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church, look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy word (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh) and also that this woman may be loving and amiable to her husband as Rachel, wise as Rebecca, faithful and obedient as Sara; and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Priest bless the man and the woman, saying Almighty God, who at the beginning did create our first parents Adam and Eve, and did sanctify and join them together in marriage: pour upon you the richness of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives end. Amen. Then follows the Eucharist in the usual manner. The following exhortation declaring the teaching of Holy Scripture concerning Holy Matrimony may be used in place of a sermon. All ye which be married, or which intend to take the holy estate of Matrimony upon you: Hear what Holy Scripture saith concerning the duty of husbands toward their wives, and wives toward their husbands. Saint Paul, in the fifth chapter of his Epistle to the Ephesians, giveth this commandment to all married men: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and hath given himself for it, to sanctify it, purging it in the fountain of water through the word, that he might make it unto himself a glorious congregation, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and blameless. So men are bound to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself. For never did any man hate his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord doth the Church, for we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This mystery is great, but I speak of Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let every one of you so love his own wife, even as himself. Likewise, Saint Paul (writing to the Colossians) speaketh thus to all men that be married: Men, love your wives and be not bitter unto them. [Coloss. 3] Hear also what Saint Peter the apostle of Christ, who was himself a married man, saith to all married men: Husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as heirs together of the grace of life, so that your prayers are not hindered. [I Peter 3] Hitherto you have heard the duty of the husband toward the wife. Now likewise, ye wives, hear and learn your duty toward your husbands, as it is plainly set forth in Holy Scripture: Saint Paul (in the Epistle to the Ephesians) teacheth you thus: Ye women submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church, and he also is the savior of the whole body. Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ, so likewise let the wives be in subjection unto their own husbands in all things. [Ephesians 5] And again he saith Let the wife reverence her husband. And, in his Epistle to the Colossians, Saint Paul giveth you this short lesson: Ye wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. [Coloss. 3] Saint Peter also instructeth you in a truly godly manner, saying, Let wives be subject to their own husbands, so that if any do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives when they behold your chaste conduct, coupled with fear. Let not your adornment be merely outward, with embroidery and trimming of gold and the putting on of gorgeous apparel, but let the hidden person in the heart be without corruption, so that the spirit is mild and quiet, which is a precious thing in the sight of God. For after this manner, in the old time, did the holy women who trusted in God clothe themselves, being subject to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You are her daughters, if you do well and are not dismayed with any fear. [I Peter 3] |
For comparison, the original 1549 rite may be found elsewhere on this site. |
Concerning The Thanksgiving for a Child The first commandment given by God to man was, "Be fruitful and multiply... " (Genesis 1 :28). Procreation and the accompanying care of children is a sacred gift and responsibility calling for a human, religious act of thanksgiving. Having its origin in the Jewish purification rituals (Leviticus 12) and in the Gospel account of the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-38), this pastoral office of the Church provides parents and other family members and friends with a service in which prayers, praise, and thanksgiving may be offered to Almighty God for the gift of a child. The service is an opportunity for a mother to give thanks for a safe delivery from the dangers and pain of childbirth. Whether by birth or adoption, a child is a merciful gift of a loving Father who calls us to be stewards of life itself. Thanksgiving for the Birth of a ChildAs soon as convenient after the birth of a child the parents, with other members of the family. should come to the church to be welcomed by the congregation and to give thanks to Almighty God. A passage from Scripture may first be read. Either Luke 2:41-51. or Luke 18:15-17. is appropriate. Dear Friends in Christ: The birth of a child is a joyous and solemn occasion in the life of a family. It is also an occasion for rejoicing in the Christian community. I bid you, therefore, to join this family in giving thanks to Almighty God our heavenly Father, the Lord of all life, for the gift of this child, N. Let us say together: Magnificat
The Lord be with you. Let us pray: O God, who hast taught us through thy blessed Son that whoever receives a little child in the name of Christ receives Christ himself: We give thee thanks for the blessing thou hast bestowed upon this family in giving them a child. Confirm their joy by a lively sense of thy presence with them, and give them calm strength and patient wisdom as they seek to bring this child to love all that is true and noble, just and pure, lovable and gracious, excellent and admirable, following the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. The Celebrant may then say to the Mother Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, of his goodness, to give thee safe deliverance, and to preserve thee in the great danger of childbirth; thou shalt therefore give hearty thanks unto God, saying All join with the Celebrant and the Mother in the following My delight is in the Lord; • Let us pray: O Almighty God, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast been graciously pleased to preserve, through the great pain and peril of childbirth, this woman, thy servant, who desireth now to offer her praises and thanksgivings unto thee. Grant, we beseech thee, moat merciful Father, that she, through thy help, may faithfully live according to thy will in this life, and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Grant, we beseech thee, O heavenly Father, that the child of these thy servants may daily increase in wisdom and stature, and grow in thy love and service, until he come to thy eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Celebrant may them bless the family saying, May God the Father, who by baptism hath adopted you as his children, grant you his grace; may God the Son, who sanctified a home at Nazareth, fill you with his love; may God the Holy Ghost, who hath united you in one family, keep you in his peace. And the blessing of God Almighty, the + Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you, and remain with you always. Amen.
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Thanksgiving for the
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Concerning Reconciliation or Confession The power to forgive sins was given to the Church by our risen Lord on the first evening of Easter: "Jesus breathed on the disciples, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'" (John 20:22-23) At the heart of the Gospel is the call to repentance, the call to turn from sin toward God. (Mark 1:14-15) In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we have the means for forgiveness of sin committed after Baptism. In its essence, Penance is something extremely simple — we kneel beside another and confess to God our sins, laying bare the real failures of every day which honest thinking compels us to admit. A confession is not a portrait of vague disgust with ourselves, but revealing those concrete occasions in which we have sinned. Confession and the granting of God's forgiveness, or Absolution, not only gives us, but also compels us to seek a new and enriched relationship with the Savior of the world, with our neighbors, and with ourselves. By our penance, we enter into the joy of our Lord. The four stages of this Sacrament of the Gospel of grace are: Contrition, or sorrow for our sins. By careful self-examination, we know what our sins are and the extent to which we have offended God's love and goodness. Co1ffession: we own up to our sins simply, honestly, and completely. We make our confession to a Priest as a minister of God and as a representative of his holy Church. Absolution: God washes away the stain of sin from our souls and gives us strength to resist sin in the future. Satisfaction: we do our penance as a sign that we will try to do God's holy will in the future, resolving not to sin again, by the help of God's grace.
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