In our high school Confirmation class, we reviewed everything we learned to date using handouts of outlined points covered each day (basically our catechist notes).  I then covered GRACE, SIN, and CONFESSION.  The visual illustrations are my own (in parenthesis) that I used to teach these “highly religious” words to 7th graders years ago.  (If you have any other suggestions or comments, please let me know.)

—Holy = to be set apart and united with God.

—Grace = free and undeserved gift of God’s love and life.  (like “air”)

—Sanctifying Grace = supernatural gift from God where our sins are forgiven & are made holy. First receive thru Baptism & continually sanctified through all sacraments.  (like “clean air“)  Lost by mortal sin.

—Actual Grace = God’s impulse to help in our everyday lives.  (like “sweet smells”)

—Sacramental Grace = graces specific to each sacrament.  (like “satellite TV”)

—Sin = freely choosing to do something that we know is wrong and against God’s will; we can sin in thought, word, action, or by omission.  (like “rejecting air”)

—Mortal Sin = serious offense that breaks our relationship with God & His grace. (like “holding your breath”)  Requirements are …

1. it must be a grave matter
2. we must know we are sinning
3. we must freely choose to sin

—Venial Sin = a less serious offense that weakens our relationship with God.  (like “smoking”)

—Sacrament of Reconciliation = by confessing mortal sins with a contrite heart to a priest (in persona Christi = in the person of Christ), we are reconciled with God and with the Church, the Body of Christ.  Penance is the whole cycle of conversion, forgiveness and making reparation (repaying any debt) for our sins.  This strengthens us to resist future temptations.

—CONFESSION Procedure …

1. Spend some time reflecting on your actions and do a thorough examination of conscience.
2. Go in the confessional & greet the priest.
3. Make the sign of the cross together.
4. Begin: “Bless me Father for I have sinned.  It has been (time) since my last confession.”
5. Confess your sins.
6. Priest will speak to you and/or share something from Scripture.
7. Priest will give you your penance.
8. You will say the Act of Contrition.
9. Priest will pray the prayer of absolution.
10. Thank the priest & leave confessional.
11. Spend some time doing your penance.

We finished the class by giving examples on their “Christian Service” Journal reflection that is due next time.