Catholics may soon notice slight changes in the language used by priests in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The revised Order of Penance, which was released in 2022, began Ash Wednesday.
“Some words are changed, but many rubrics read ‘in these or similar words …’ so the priest, deacon or penitent has freedom to create their own prayers and texts,” said Michael Bedics of the diocesan Office of Worship and Christian Initiation. “The structure and integrity of the ritual has not changed, though, both for individual confessions and for communal penitential celebrations.”
The new translation – which is permitted for use beginning Ash Wednesday but must take effect by Divine Mercy Sunday, April 16 – is part of a series of revisions that began in 2001, when the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued the Fifth Instruction: “for the Right Implementation of the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council” (“Liturgiam Authenticam”). That instrument included guidance on the translation and use of vernacular languages and the publication of books of the Roman liturgy.
In 2010, the English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal was issued, and included a significant number of changes likely noticed by most Catholics. Additional revised books followed, including texts surrounding Confirmation and Matrimony in 2016 and the Dedication of a Church and an Altar in 2018. Texts used in the annual Chrism Mass were updated in 2019, and texts for the Order of Baptism of Children changes in 2020. Additionally, updates to the text for ordinations were made in 2021.
Upcoming revisions will focus on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and the Liturgy of the Hours.
While the structure of Penance will remain unchanged, Bedics said that the revised texts do provide an opportunity for faithful to consider the words used.
“It does provide us the opportunity to reflect on the celebration of the Sacrament,” he said, “and perhaps even evaluate how well we are celebrating reconciliation in our parishes given what we have received since Vatican II.”
A formation day focusing on pastoral insights about the revised Order of Penance will be held on March 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall (701 Little Gloucester Road, Blackwood). The program is designed for parish catechetical leaders, pastoral associates, catechists, deacons and all those who help prepare others for Reconciliation. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and priests of the Diocese of Camden will join participants for lunch before remaining for afternoon sessions.
The program will include a presentation by Msgr. Richard Hilgartner, pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Cockeysville, Md., and former executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Divine Worship.
At a Glance
Starting Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, the prayer of absolution will include three modifications, so that the revised version will read as follows:
“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and poured out [formerly “sent”] the Holy Spirit for [previously “Holy Spirit among us for”] the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God grant [instead of “give”] 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.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
