The Sacrament of Penance
Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on the History of Salvation
General Audience, Wednesday 15 September 1999 - in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese & Spanish
"Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. The journey to the Father, proposed for special reflection during this year of preparation for the Great Jubilee, also implies a rediscovery of the sacrament of Penance in its profound meaning as an encounter with the One who forgives us through Christ in the Spirit (cf. Tertio millennio adveniente, n. 50).
There are various reasons why a serious reflection on this sacrament is urgently needed in the Church. It is called for especially by the message of the Father's love as the basis of Christian living and acting in the context of contemporary society, where the ethical vision of human life is often obscured. If many have lost their perspective on good and evil, it is because they have lost their sense of God, interpreting guilt only from a psychological or sociological viewpoint. Secondly, pastoral ministry must give a new impetus to a journey of faith growth that stresses the value of the spirit and practice of penance throughout the Christian life.
2. The biblical message presents this "penitential" dimension as an ongoing commitment to conversion. Doing works of penance presupposes a transformation of conscience that is the result of God's grace. In the New Testament especially, conversion is required as a fundamental choice of those to whom the kingdom of God is preached: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" (Mk 1: 15; cf. Mt 4: 17). Jesus began his ministry with these words, announcing the fulfilment of time and the imminence of the kingdom. "Repent" (in Greek, metanoeîte) is a call to change one's way of thinking and acting.
3. This invitation to conversion forms the vital conclusion of the Apostles' preaching after Pentecost. It fully explains the content of the message: it is no longer generically the "kingdom", but Jesus' very work as part of the divine plan foretold by the prophets. The proclamation of what occurred in Jesus Christ, who died, rose again and now lives in the Father's glory, is followed by the pressing invitation to "conversion", to which the forgiveness of sins is also connected. All of this can be clearly seen in Peter's address in Solomon's portico: "What God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3: 18-19).
In the Old Testament this forgiveness of sins is promised by God in the context of the "New Covenant" which he will make with his people (cf. Jer 31: 31-34). God will write his law in their hearts. From this standpoint, conversion is a requirement of the definitive Covenant with God as well as a permanent attitude of those who accept the content of the Gospel message and enter into the historical and eschatological dynamism of God's kingdom.
4. The sacrament of Reconciliation conveys and makes visible in a mysterious way these fundamental values proclaimed by the Word of God. It reinserts man into the saving context of the Covenant and opens him again to the Trinitarian life, which is a dialogue of grace, a circuit of love, the gift and acceptance of the Holy Spirit.
A careful rereading of the Ordo Paenitentiae will be a great help during the Jubilee for deepening our understanding of the essential elements of this sacrament. The maturity of ecclesial life depends in large part on its rediscovery. The sacrament of Reconciliation is not limited to the liturgical celebration, but leads to a penitential attitude of life as an ongoing dimension of the Christian experience. It is "a drawing near to the holiness of God, a rediscovery of one's true identity which has been upset and disturbed by sin, a liberation in the very depth of self and thus a regaining of lost joy, the joy of being saved, which the majority of people in our time are no longer capable of experiencing" (Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, n. 31, III).
5. For the doctrinal meaning of this sacrament I refer you to the Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliatio et Paenitentia (cf. nn. 28-34) and to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (cf. nn. 1420-1484), as well as to the other statements of the Church's Magisterium. Here I would like to recall the importance of the necessary pastoral care for instilling a greater appreciation of this sacrament in the People of God, so that the message of reconciliation, the path of conversion and the very celebration of the sacrament can more deeply touch the hearts of the men and women of our day.
In particular, I wish to remind pastors that, to be good confessors, they themselves must be authentic penitents. Priests know that they have been entrusted with a power that comes from on high: the forgiveness imparted by them "is the effective sign of the intervention of the Father" (Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, n. 31, III) which brings resurrection from spiritual death. Therefore, when carrying out such an essential dimension of their ministry with Gospel humility and simplicity, confessors should not neglect their own growth and renewal, so that they will never lack those human and spiritual qualities which are so necessary for their relationship to consciences.
But along with pastors, the entire Christian community must be involved in the pastoral renewal of Reconciliation. This is required by the "ecclesial nature" of the sacrament itself. The Ecclesial Community is the embrace which welcomes the repentant and forgiven sinner and, even before, creates a suitable climate for the journey back to the Father. In a reconciled and reconciling community, sinners can find the way they had lost and the help of their brethren. In the end, through the Christian community it is possible again to mark out a sound path of charity, which visibly expresses through good works the forgiveness refound, the evil redressed, the hope of being able once again to experience the Father's merciful embrace."
After the Catechesis, Papa Giovanni Paolo II greeted the pilgrims in various languages:
J’accueille avec plaisir les pèlerins francophones, en particulier le groupe de bénévoles en session de préparation pour l’accueil des pèlerins francophones du Jubilé. J’accorde à tous la Bénédiction apostolique.
I extend a particular welcome to the Lutheran visitors from Latvia, as well as to the groups from England, Malta, Denmark, Japan, Canada and the United States of America. Upon all of you I invoke the abundant blessings of Almighty God
Mit diesen Gedanken grüße ich die Pilger und Besucher, die aus den Ländern deutscher Sprache nach Rom gekommen sind. Besonders heiße ich willkommen: Die Schwestern von der Heiligen Elisabeth aus verschiedenen Ländern, die an einem Seminar für geistliche Erneuerung teilnehmen. Euch, Euren lieben Angehörigen daheim und allen, die mit uns über Radio Vatikan und das Fernsehen verbunden sind, erteile ich von Herzen den Apostolischen Segen.
Dirijo un cordial saludo a los peregrinos de lengua española, especialmente a los grupos venidos de España, México, Argentina y otros países latinoamericanos. Os invito a descubrir en el Sacramento de la penitencia la alegría de ser salvados, la libertad interior y el acercamiento a la santidad de Dios.
Amados peregrinos de língua portuguesa, a minha saudação venturosa e amiga a todos vós - especialmente ao grupo de brasileiros que aqui se encontram. Agradeço vossa presença, e vos encorajo a invocar a Maria Santíssima, neste dia em que é recordada com a denominação de Nossa Senhora das Dores, para um feliz êxito na vossa configuração a Cristo. A todos abençoo.
Witam pielgrzymów z Polski! Serdecznie witam profesorów, pracowników i władze Akademii Górniczo-Hutniczej w Krakowie. Wasza uczelnia wraz z innymi szkołami wyższymi Krakowa tworzy wielkie środowisko akademickie miasta, z którym nadal czuję się bardzo związany. Chętnie też wracam pamięcią do naszego krótkiego spotkania przed gmachem AGH podczas ostatniej mojej pielgrzymki Ojczyzny i cieszę się, że do takiego spotkania doszło. Wiem, że bardzo o nie zabiegaliście. Było ono potrzebne. Dziś pragnę wam podziękować za waszą zyczliwość.
Na osiemdziesięciolecie istnienia Akademii życzę, aby była zawsze żywym centrum rozwoju myśli technicznej i kształcenia kompetentnych. Niech wasza patronka, św. Barbara, wyprasza wam potrzebne łaski. Z serca błogosławię.
Prócz tego witam Koło Przyjaciół Fundacji Jana Pawła II Ziemi imiersko-Kieleckiej; ogólnopolską, pielgrzymkę farmaceutów; laureatów konkursu « Ośmiu wspaniałych » oraz profesorów i nauczycieli z różnych miast Polski; grupy parafialne z Głubczyc, Iławy, Piekar Słąskich, Rudy Śląskiej i Turku; grupy młodzieżowe z Krakowa, Katowic, Nowego Dworu, Nowej Rudy, Rogoźna, Warszawy, Wrocławia i Zakopanego oraz z Legnicy chór « Madrygał ».
Spotykamy się w dniu 15 września, we wspomnienie Matki Bożej Bolesnej. W tym dniu moja pamięć i moje myśli powracają, do wielu sanktuariów Matki Bożej Bolesnej, w szczególnosci do bliskiego mi sanktuarium Smętnej Dobrodziejki w kościele franciszkanów w Krakowie.
Wszystkim dziękuję za odwiedziny i życzę « szczęść Boże » w waszej pielgrzymce do Rzymu.
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua neerlandese
Carissimi pellegrini neerlandesi e belgi !
Il vostro pellegrinaggio alle tombe degli Apostoli è molto importante per la vita cristiana. Auguro che possiate sperimentare la vicinanza e l’amore del Signore in questi giorni, per l’intercessione della Beata Vergine Addolorata.
Di cuore imparto la Benedizione Apostolica.
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo !
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua lituana
Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini lituani, tra i quali i componenti del gruppo folcloristico di danza e di canto "Mastis".
Carissimi, vi ringrazio per la vostra visita alle soglie del terzo millennio e spero che l'odierno incontro vi avvicini ancora di più a Cristo, presente nella sua Chiesa come il Signore e il centro della storia.
Mentre vi affido alla materna protezione di Maria Santissima, imparto con affetto a tutti voi, ai vostri familiari e all'intero popolo lituano la Benedizione Apostolica. Sia lodato Gesù Cristo.
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua romena
Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto ai pellegrini dell’Eparchia di Maramures in Romania.
Carissimi, la visita alle tombe degli Apostoli e dei martiri romani vi siano di stimolo per un sempre più generoso impegno di testimonianza cristiana nella vostra Patria.
Con questo auspicio di cuore invoco su di voi e sulle vostre famiglie benedizioni del cielo.
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua slovacca
Cordialmente saluto il gruppo di pellegrini slovacchi da Krupina e Revúca.
Cari fratelli e sorelle, oggi la Slovacchia festeggia la festa dell’Addolorata, la sua principale Patrona. Lei è stata con la vostra nazione nei momenti dolorosi e felici. Essa vi conduca a Cristo con la sua protezione materna.
Con affetto imparto la mia Benedizione Apostolica a voi e a tutta la vostra nazione.
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
* * *
Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto a tutti i pellegrini di lingua italiana. In particolare, saluto la Superiora generale e le Capitolari delle Ancelle dell’Immacolata, ed auguro loro che, in adesione fedele al carisma originario, si impegnino con rinnovato slancio nell’opera evangelizzatrice, alle soglie del terzo millennio.
Saluto i partecipanti al Convegno di Bioetica “Il tramonto della vita”, promosso dal Pontificio Ateneo “Regina Apostolorum”. Carissimi, vi ringrazio per la vostra presenza e formulo fervidi voti che l’importante simposio, a cui partecipate, contribuisca ad accrescere in tutti la consapevolezza degli inalienabili diritti della persona e il dovuto rispetto per ogni essere umano, perché la “sera” della sua esistenza sia vissuta nella dignità e nell’amore.
Saluto i ragazzi dell’Oratorio di Canegrate, dell’Arcidiocesi di Milano, che partecipano alla fiaccolata in bicicletta, come pure il gruppo aziendale dell'Associazione Volontari Italiani del Sangue – Italtel di Cassina de’ Pecchi, venuti in pellegrinaggio per ricordare il trentesimo anniversario di costituzione del sodalizio.
Desidero ora salutare con particolare affetto i giovani, gli ammalati e gli sposi novelli qui presenti.
Facciamo oggi memoria della Beata Vergine Maria Addolorata, che con fede sostò presso la croce di Gesù.
Cari giovani, non abbiate paura di restare anche voi come Maria presso la Croce. Gesù morente vi infonderà il coraggio di superare ogni ostacolo nella vostra quotidiana esistenza.
E voi, cari ammalati, possiate trovare in Maria conforto e sostegno per apprendere dal Signore Crocifisso il valore salvifico della sofferenza.
Voi, cari sposi novelli, rivolgetevi con fiducia nei momenti di difficoltà alla Vergine Addolorata, che vi aiuterà ad affrontarli con la sua materna intercessione.
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