Sacraments of Reconciliation
Chapter 17 General Bibliography on Reconciliation
This bibliography is limited to materials related to Reconciliation. Chapter d17 Bibliography lists general materials: general web links to theology and liturgy, books and articles on sacraments and liturgical theology, Spanish language materials, a list of liturgical periodicals, and suggestions for your personal liturgical library.
Publications on Reconciliation
Authored by Thomas Richstatter
1. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Liturgical Law Today: New Style, New Spirit. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1977.
3. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Liturgical Experimentation," New Catholic Encyclopedia. vol 17, 1978. p 357.
4. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Liturgical Laws, Authority of," New Catholic Encyclopedia. vol 17, 1978. p 358.
5. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Liturgical Rites," New Catholic Encyclopedia. vol 17, 1978. pp 364-365.
6. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Liturgy (Structural Elements)," New Catholic Encyclopedia. vol 17, 1978. pp 371-372.
7. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Rubrics," New Catholic Encyclopedia. vol 17, 1978. p 589.
8. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Silence in Worship," New Catholic Encyclopedia. vol 17, 1978. p 610.
16. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. The Sacraments: The Church at Prayer. Ten, thirty minute audio cassettes. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1981.
25. Canon Law Society of America. The Code of Canon Law: A Text and Commentary. New York: Paulist Press. 1985. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Sacred Places and Times," Commentary on canons 1205-1253.
26. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Praying Your Way Through Lent. Four, thirty minute audio cassettes. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1986.
29. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. The Reconciliation of Penitents: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Communal Rite of Penance. Washington: Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, 1987. This text has been revised and is available on line at
38. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Lent: A 40-Day Retreat: Rediscovering Your Baptismal Call," Catholic Update, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, February 1990. CU 0290
39. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "The Gift of Reconciliation: Ten Tips for Better Confessions," Catholic Update, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, August 1990. CU 0890.
53. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Who Will Be Saved? A Catholic View of
Salvation" Catholic Update, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger
Press, April, 1994. C0494.
Text available at:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0494.asp
63. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. The Sacraments: How Catholics Pray. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, June, 1995. Especially Chapter 6: "Celebrating What Jesus Does: Reconciliation."
83. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Liturgy and Worship: Faith and Witness, A Course on Catholic Living. New York: William H. Sadlier, Inc, 1997. Especially Chapter 10: "The Sacrament of Reconciliation."
87. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Teaching segment and theological consultant for "The God Who Reconciles," Catholic Update Video, St. Anthony Messenger Press, June 1998. V2001 $39.95.
The four segments of the video are:
Story – "Pardon and Peace" [Grandpa and hitchhiker] (15 minutes)
Witness – Tom Parker’s story of forgiveness from his parents (6 minutes)
Teaching – Tom Richstatter: harmony in Creation (7 minutes)
Music – No Longer Strangers (4 minutes)
90. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Teaching segment and theological consultant for "The Church Celebrates the Reconciling God," Catholic Update Video, St. Anthony Messenger Press, December 1998. V 2002.
The four segments of the video are:
Story – History of Reconciliation (13 minutes)
Witness – Catholics talk (3 minutes)
Teaching – Tom Richstatter walks through Rite II (7 minutes)
Music – Deep Down I Know (4 minutes)
91. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Teaching segment and theological consultant for "Preparing your Child for First Reconciliation," Catholic Update Video, St. Anthony Messenger Press, December 1998. V 2003.
The four segments of the video are:
Story – Festival Fabric (15 minutes)
Witness – Parents talk about preparing children (3 minutes)
Teaching – Tom Richstatter tells the Fr. Häring Story (7 minutes)
Music – Johnny’s Tears (6 minutes)
99. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "How to Celebrate the Sacrament of
Reconciliation Today," Catholic Update, Cincinnati: St. Anthony
Messenger Press, August 2000. C0800
Text available at:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0800.asp
106. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Discipleship and the Moral Life: The Reality of Sin and Grace," Catechist, February 2, 2003 (36:5) pp 50-54.
107. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Forgiveness in Our Church Today: A Key to Healing," Catholic Update, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, April 2003. C0403
Interpersonal Forgiveness
See the bibliography given at r14 Interpersonal Forgiveness
Emerson, J.G. "Forgiveness: Key to the Creative Life: Its Power and Its Practice—Lessons from Brain Studies, Scripture, and Experience."
The Sacraments of Reconciliation in General
An excellent bibliography [by Joseph Martos] can be found at www.liguori.org/books/doorsbib.htm Chapter IX Reconciliation.
February 2003. The U.S. bishops' conference has published a booklet on the sacrament of reconciliation. "Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance: Questions and Answers" is now available from USCCB Publishing. The booklet provides answers such as "Why do we need the sacrament?" "What happens in the sacrament?" and "What are the different forms of the sacrament?" The booklet was designed to be used in parishes during preparation for the sacrament, as a resource for reflection during particular seasons such as Lent, and as a practical tool to aid penitents as they go to confession. It also contains a section "Going to Confession," aimed primarily at individuals who have not been to confession in some time, and "How to Go to Confession," which describes the steps in easy-to-read language. The publication (No. 5-547) and additional copies of the card "How to Go to Confession" (publication No. 5-548) can be purchased separately through USCCB Publishing at (800) 235-8722 during East Coast business hours.
The Sacraments Healing and Anointing
An excellent bibliography [by Joseph Martos] can be found at www.liguori.org/books/doorsbib.htm
Additional bibliography can be found at s15 Bibliography: Care of the Sick
The History of Reconciliation
Lea, H. C. A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church, 3 volumes, 1896. [Osborne OFM in the eucharist paper says "As far as Roman Catholic theology is concerned, it is perhaps the publication of H. C. Lea’s book, A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church, a publication which appeared in 3 volumes in 1896, that moved Roman Catholic scholarship into an intense study of the historical development of each of the sacraments. His book was so obviously anti-Catholic, a Catholic response was clearly needed.]
Dallen, James. "The Absence of a Ritual of Reconciliation in Celtic Penance." The Journey of Western Spirituality. A.W. Sadler (ed.). Cholo: Scholars Press, 1981, 79-105.
____________. The Reconciling Community: The Rite of Penance. New York: Pueblo Publishing Company, 1986.
I am indebted to the Rev. Bernard Häring and to my professors at the Institut
Supérieur de Liturgie de Paris, especially Msgr. Pierre Jounel, Pierre-Marie Gy,
O.P. and Cyril Vogel, for giving initial direction to my thoughts on the
sacraments of reconciliation. Two key lectures have been published in La
Maison-Dieu 117 (1972): Pierre-Marie Gy, “Les bases de la pénitence moderne,”
pp. 63-85, and Pierre Jounel, “La liturgie de la réconciliation,” pp. 7-37.
While acknowledging my indebtedness to these great professors, I claim as my own
any inaccuracies or errors in these notes.
The Order of Penitents
Grace and Sin
Maguire, Daniel. "A ‘New’ View of Sin: Our Growing Awareness of Social Evil" Catholic Update 081. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1981.
Riga, Peter. Sin and Penance: Insights into the Mystery of Salvation. Milwaukee: Bruce, 1967.
Taylor, Michael. The Mystery of Sin and Forgiveness. New York: Alba House, 1971.
Vogel, Cyril. "Sin and Penance." In Pastoral Treatment of Sin, ed. P. Delhaye. New York: Desclee, 1968.
Current Rite: Documents & Legislation
The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991. ISBN 0-8146-6015-0.
The Rite of Penance, New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co, 1975 ISBN not listed. To my knowledge, the "Catholic Book" edition is the only "ritual" edition of the rite currently [2002] available; however, it does not contain the revised introduction. The current text can be found in: The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991. ISBN 0-8146-6015-0.
NCCB-CL Newsletter, XXVIII (June/July 1992), pp 22-26. [Excellent commentary on article 72 of the Sacrosanctum Concilium.]
International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Rite of Penance. Study Edition. Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1975.
____________. Rite of Penance. The Rite for Reconciliation of Individual Penitents. Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1974.
____________. The Rite of Penance. Confessor’s Booklet. Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1974.
"Penance," Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979, 935-1015. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1982.
United States Catholic Conference. A Study Paper for First Confession. Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1973. [Out of print.]
Committee for Pastoral Research and Practices, National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Reflections on the Sacrament of Penance in Catholic Life Today: A Study Document. Washington: USCC, 1990. Publication No. 340-X. ISBN 1-55586-340-X.
Catechim of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests. Translated by John A. McHugh and Charles J. Callan. New York: Wagner, 1934.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Washington D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 1994. ISBN 1-55586-513-5. "Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Section One, Chapter One: The Paschal Mystery in the Age of the Church," nn 1066-1134; Chapter Two: The Sacramental Celebration of the Paschal Mystery," nn 1135-1209. "The Sacraments of Healing," nn 1420-1532
Code of Canon Law, "Book IV: The Office of Sanctifying in the Church," canons 834-839; "Part I: The Sacraments," canons 840-848; "Title IV: The Sacrament of Penance," canons 960-997 [includes Indulgences]
Papal Statements
Paul VI. Fast and Abstinence. (apostolic constitution: Poenitemini, February 17, 1966). Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1966.
Paul VI, Indugentiarum Doctrina. Translated by William T. Barry. In Enchiridion of Indugences: Norms and Grants. New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1969.
John Paul II. Redeemer of Man (encyclical: Redemptor hominis, March 4, 1979). Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1979.
____________. Rich in Mercy (encyclical: Dives in misericordia, November 30, 1980). Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1980.
____________. The Gift of the Redemption. (apostolic exhortation: Redemptionis donum, March 25, 1984). Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1984.
____________. Reconciliation and Penance (post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Reconciliatio et paenitentia, December 2, 1984.) Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1984.
The Revised Rites: Commentaries & Studies
Dallen, James. The Reconciling Community: The Rite of Penance. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1986. Paper. 446 pp. $19.95, ISBN 0-8146-6076-2.
Annibale Bugnini. The Reform of the Liturgy 1948-1975, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1990, Chapter 39 "Reconciliation," pp 664-683.
Martos, Joseph. Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to the Sacraments in the Catholic Church. Revised and updated edition. Liguori MO: Liguori/Triumph. 2001. $21.95. ISBN 0-76480718-8
Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy. The Rite of Penance. Study Text Series 4. Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1975.
Crichton, James D. The Ministry of Reconciliation: A Commentary on the Order of Penance. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1974.
Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. The New Rite of Penance: Background Catechesis. Pevely MO: FDLC Publications, 1974.
____________. General Absolution: Toward a Deeper Understanding. Chicago: FDLC Publications, 1978.
Liturgical Conference. The Rite of Penance: Commentaries. Washington, DC: The Liturgical Conference. Volume 1: Understanding the Document, Ralph Keifer and Frederick McManus, eds., 1975. Volume 2: Implementing the Rite, Elizabeth McMahon Jeep, ed., 1976. Volume 3: Background and Directions, Nathan Mitchell, ed., 1978.
Woestman, William. Sacraments: Initiation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Commentary on Canons 840-1007. Canada. Saint Paul University, ISBN 0-919261-29-9. $42.00. ["Directed to students of canon law and those involved in pastoral ministry. The method of exposition includes extensive reference to magisterial documents, as well as the liturgical sources upon which the canonical discipline is founded."]
Anciaux, Paul. The Sacrament of Penance. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1962.
Collins, Mary and Power, David, editors. The Fate of Confession. Concilium 190. Edinburgh:
Corrigan, John E. Growing Up Christian: Penance and the Moral Development of Children. Dayton: Pflaum, 1968.
Gallen, John. "A Pastoral-Liturgical View of Penance Today." Worship 45 (March 1971), 132-150.
____________. "General Sacramental Absolution," Theological Studies 34 (1973) 1, 114-121.
Gula, Richard M. To Walk Together Again. New York/Ramsey: Paulist Press, 1984. $7.95. ISBN: 0-8091-2603-6.
Guzie, Tad. What a Modern Catholic Believes About Confession. Chicago: Thomas More Press, 1974.
Guzie, Tad and McIlhon, John. The Forgiveness of Sin. Chicago: Thomas More Press, 1979.
Häring, Bernard. Shalom: Peace, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1967.
Hebblethwaite, Margaret and Donovan, Kevin. The Theology of Penance. Theology Today 20. Butler, Wisconsin: Clergy Book Service, 1979.
Hellwig, Monika. Sign of Reconciliation and Conversion: The Sacrament of Penance for Our Times. Wilmington: M. Glazier, 1982.
Henchal, Michael J., editor. Repentance and Reconciliation in the Church. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1987.
Kennedy, Robert J. (editor). Reconciliation: The Continuing Agenda. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, paper, 284 pp, $11.95. ISBN 0-8146-1568-6. ["These provocative and inspiring papers from the 1986 Conference of the Notre Dame Center for Pastoral Liturgy review the continuing agenda for penance and reconciliation." The book is currently out of print.]
Osborne, Kenan B. Reconciliation and Justification: The Sacrament and its Theology. (New York: Paulist, 1990). [Out of print.]
Pater, Giles. Karl Rahner’s Historico-Theological Studies on Penance: The Retrieval of Forgotten Truths. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. University of Notre Dame, 1977.
Peter, Carl. "The New Forms for Communal Penance: Will They Help?" Worship 47 (January 1973) 2-10.
Poschmann, Bernhard. Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. New York: Herder and Herder, 1964.
Power, David. The Eucharistic Mystery. New York: Crossroad, 1992.
Rahner, Karl. "Some Forgotten Truths Concerning the Sacrament of Penance," Theological Investigations. Vol. II. Baltimore: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1964.
____________. Theological Investigations, v.15. New York: Crossroad, 1982.
Schillebeeckx, Edward, ed. Sacramental Reconciliation. Concilium 61. New York: Herder and Herder, 1971.
Sottocornola, F. A Look at the New Rite of Penance. Washington, D.C.: USCC, 1975.
The Future of the Sacrament
Bernardin, Joseph. "New Rite of Penance Suggested." Origins 13 (1983) 324-326.
Bugnini, Annibale. The Reform of the Liturgy 1948-1975. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1990.
Scheiter, Robert J. Reconciliation: Mission and Ministry in a Changing Social Order. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1992.
Dallen, James and Favazza, Joseph. Removing the Barriers: The Practice of Reconciliation. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1991. ISBN 0-929650-37-9, pp 76.
Dozier, Carroll. "Penance: The Journey of Reconversion and Restoration to Life." NCR Cassette C-5016, 1978.
Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. General Absolution: Toward a Deeper Understanding.
Lopresti, James. Penance: A Reform Proposal for the Rite. American Essays in Liturgy 6. Washington, DC: The Pastoral Press, 1987.
____________. The Evolving Church and the Sacrament of Penance. Denville NJ: Dimension Books, 1978.
Mitchell, Nathan. "In Search of Penance Today" NCR Cassettes, A-214. [Address to the FDLC meeting in 1975. Mitchell very carefully and accurately points up the difficulties of condensing the process of reconciliation into one sacramental moment. A very important and thought stimulating talk.] St. Meinrad Archabbey Library Cassette # 669.
Orsay, Ladislas. "Communal Penance: Some Preliminary Questions," Worship 47 (June-July 1973) 322-337.
For the Priest Presiding
Stasiak, Kurt. A Confessor‘s Handbook. New York: Paulist Press. 1999. $11.95. ISBN 0-8091-3914-6
Shorter Catechetical Works
Alliger, George and Wintz, Jack. "Examining Your Conscience Today" Catholic Update 0476. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1977.
Champlin, Joseph. Together in Peace. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press. 1975.
DeGidio, Sandra. "Sacrament of Reconciliation: Celebrating God’s Forgiveness" Catholic Update 036. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1986.
Foley, Leonard. "How to Go to Confession: Using the New Ritual" Catholic Update 016. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1976.
____________. "Confessing Face-to-Face" Catholic Update 017. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1977.
____________. "Why confess my sins? The Bishops’ Synod asks us to take another look" Catholic Update 034. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1984.
International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Form of Examination of Conscience. Washington, DC: Office of Publishing and Promotion Services, USCC, 1974.
Lohkamp, Nicholas. "Your Conscience and Church Teaching" Catholic Update 122. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1982.
Manual for the Penitent. New York: Pueblo. 1976.
Merdeiros, Humberto Cardinal. Pastoral Reflections on Conscience. St. Louis: Daughters of St. Paul. 1980.
Richstatter, Thomas. various articles, books, and videos. (see above)
Paiva, Kathleen. "Bless me, Father, I’m not sure I want to be here!" Youth Update 102. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1982.
Wintz, Jack. "Guilt – A Tool for Christian Growth," Catholic Update 026. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1986.
© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved. This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own. Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it. This site was updated on 07/17/08 . Your comments on this site are welcome at webmaster2@tomrichstatter.org.