Reconciliation: Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing in which you seek for God to forgive the sins you have committed. Form: The form of Reconciliation is that after saying your sins the minister of the sacrament says these words to absolve you of your sins. These words are, "God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of your son, you have reconciled the world to yourself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the church, may God grant you pardon and peace. And I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." Matter: The matter needed for Reconciliation are the person's sins, contrition, confession of their sins and the priest's words of absolution. Minister: A priest or a bishop are the only members of the church aloud to hear your sins and absolve you of them. However, it is always Jesus who forgives us of our sins, the priest or bishop stands in to representing the church and to offer us Christ's forgiveness. Receiver: Anyone who is in mortal sin, who desires the grace of reconciliation or anyone who is in need of spiritual healing or guidance can receive Reconciliation. Frequency: The minimum amount of times you can receive the sacrament of Reconciliation is once per year while the maximum is as often as necessary since their is NO maximum! Effect: The effects of Reconciliation are the forgiveness of serious sin, the reunification with the Church, the cleansing of your conscience and the Restoration of Grace. When is Reconciliation offered?: At my parish, Our Lady of Lourdes in Malverne, reconciliation is every Saturday from 4:00 to 4:45 pm. Examination of conscience: An examination of conscience is a list of questions you ask yourself to reflect on your sins and to prepare yourself to tell the priest these sins so you can be absolved of them.