Overview

Sacraments are at the heart of our lives as Catholics, the way we celebrate together our continuing conversion and encounter with God. Sacramental preparation is essential if we are to experience the fullness of our life in community and in Christ. Ever conscious of the complex history of the church and its dynamic relationship to ritual, Father Lawrence Mick gives us these booklets 'based on individual chapters of his popular Understanding the Sacraments Today 'as a companion to the ongoing and repeated practices that nourish us. Of the seven sacraments, penance, particularly the reform of the sacrament since the Second Vatican Council, may be the least understood. The practice of the sacrament has ranged from a once-in-a lifetime chance to turn from sin to a heavily attended weekly ritual. Penances have ranged from harsh tasks that might take a lifetime to accomplish, to a set of simple prayers said hurriedly before leaving the church. The sacrament has been called confession, penance, and most recently, reconciliation, reflecting the shifting emphasis from one element of the sacrament to another. Father Mick offers a look at the history and reorients our approach to this sacrament of mercy, the true purpose of which is to foster spiritual growth and ongoing conversion in our life as a community and individuals. Lawrence E. Mick, a priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is a liturgical consultant and writer whose numerous books includeUnderstanding the Sacraments Today and Living Baptism Daly (both published by Liturgical Press).

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9780814631928

Table of Contents

Reviews

Beginning with a clear introduction on the purpose and meaning of the sacraments, Fr. Mick provides a sound historical and theological explanation of the development and current practice of the Sacrament of Penance. He concludes with a brief explanation of the three forms of the revised rite of penance, the three elements of the sacrament, and suggestions for celebrating the sacrament well. This booklet is an excellent, easy-to-use resource for those who prepare children and adults to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, and for any Catholic individual or study group interested in learning more about the sacrament. Questions for individual or small group reflection and discussion are provided at the end of the booklet.Mary Sellars Malloy, Catholic Parish Mission Leader, Florence, Kentucky

Author Information

Lawrence E. Mick is a priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He has served several parishes as a pastor and associate pastor and assisted with campus ministry, retreat ministry, and activities at the Archdiocesan Worship Office. Currently, he is a consultant and writer. He is the author of To Live As We Worship, Understanding the Sacraments Today, Penance: The Once and Future Sacrament, RCIA: Renewing the Church as an Initiating Assembly, Worshiping Well: A Mass Guide for Planners and Participants, and Liturgy and Ecology in Dialogue published by Liturgical Press.

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