The Reconciliation of Penitents
Part Four:  Commissioning

Chapter 18 Commissioning

Historical Survey

Even after canonical penance fell into disuse, a rite for solemn penance remained in the Roman Pontifical until the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. The rite found there was in large part from a late thirteenth century pontifical composed by William Durand, bishop of Mende. The conclusion of the rite was very simple. After the prayers for reconciliation, the bishop extended his hands over the penitents and said: "By the prayers and merits of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, St. Michael the Archangel, St. John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, may almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life." R. Amen. "May the almighty and merciful Lord grant you pardon, absolution, and remission of all your sins." R. Amen. And then the bishop blessed them saying: "May almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." R. Amen.

The new rite concludes very simply with a blessing and dismissal. It is the role of the presiding minister to proclaim the final blessing. The Rite of Penance gives several forms for the blessing, for example (58):

May the Lord guide your hearts in the way of his love
and fill you with Christ-like patience.
R. Amen.

May he give you strength
to walk in newness of life
and to please him in all things.
R. Amen.

May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.

Other blessings may be selected from numbers 212-214 of the ritual.

Traditionally, it has been the role of the deacon to make announcements and give directions during the liturgical assembly: "Let us stand," "The Mass is ended, go in peace," etc. Accordingly, it is the function of the deacon to dismiss the assembly following the rite for reconciliation; for example he might say:

The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.

All answer: Thanks be to God.

The rite directs that "any other appropriate form may be used" (59).

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Documentation

Rite of Penance

20 cont. The penitent continues the conversion thus begun and expresses it by a life renewed according to the Gospel and more and more steeped in the love of God, for "love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Pt 4:8).

30. After the prayer of thanksgiving the priest blesses the faithful. Then the deacon or the priest himself dismisses the congregation.

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Pastoral Reflection

The Sacramentary indicates the function of the dismissal: "The dismissal sends each member of the congregation to do good works, praising and blessing the Lord."

The rite directs that "any other appropriate form may be used." The congregation may depart singing a hymn or accompanied by instrumental music to express the joy of reconciliation. The renewed sense of community may be prolonged and strengthened by some social expression: coffee and doughnuts in the parish hall, etc.

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Suggested Questions for Discussion

Is it appropriate to conclude with the assembly giving and receiving a sign of peace? What might one say to accompany this gesture?

What hymns would be appropriate for the conclusion of the sacrament of reconciliation?

Is it appropriate for the priests who heard the confessions to be at the door to greet the people as they leave, as has become the custom in many places following Sunday Mass? Would people be embarrassed to talk to the priest to whom they had just told their sins?

Do you think that the sacrament of reconciliation should be followed by a social celebration (such as coffee and doughnuts), or would this appear to be a celebration of the fact that we have sinned? Are there other reasons why a party would be inappropriate?

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© 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 10/07/08 .  Your comments on this site are welcome at tomrichs@psci.net.