begin by discussing the sacrament of reconciliation. Explain Its significance in the Catholic Church and its role in forgiveness and spiritual Growth

a timeline the history of the sacrament of reconciliation

What is Reconciliation?

Explain two contrasting ways in which Christians work for reconciliation

'What role does forgiveness play in healing from personal conflict?'

Important Catholic ritualsFor Catholics, each of the seven sacra-ments involves the use of rituals.Through the use of rituals each sacra-ment helps people experience themystery of God in their life and deep-ens their faith as disciples of Jesus.The Seven SacramentsBaptism, Confirmation and the Eucha-rist are the three Sacraments of Chris-tian Initiation. These lay the founda-tion for the Christian life.Reconciliation and the Anointing ofthe Sick are the Sacraments of Heal-ing. Through them the Church contin-ues, in the power of the Holy Spirit, toaccomplish Christ’s work of healingand salvation among the Christianfaithful.Matrimony and Holy Orders are theSacraments of Service. They serve aspecial mission to the People of God.Sacraments have a visible and invisi-ble reality. They use all the humansenses to help people experience thedepths of God with the eyes of faith.When parents hug their children, forexample, the visible reality we see isthe hug.The visible reality seen in the Sacra-ments is their outward expression,the form they take, and the way inwhich they are administered andreceived. The invisible reality thatcannot be seen is God's grace, thegift of salvation he offers through thelife, death and resurrection of Jesus.Salvation is a free and loving gift bywhich God offers people a share inthe life of God.Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Churchrecognises the existence of SevenSacraments instituted by the Lord ...Through the Sacraments, God shareshis holiness with us so that we, inturn, can make the world holier.United States Conf. of Cath. BishopsReligious ritualsReligious rituals use symbolic ac-tions, such as movement, gesturesand words to express and promotewhat is important about faith.Typically, Catholic rituals involvemovement and gestures that act outor symbolise important elements offaith. Such actions are often repeat-ed and take place during importantcelebrations such as the celebrationof the sacraments. They include theuse of significant words that formpart of the ritual action taking place.Most importantly, rituals are com-munal celebrations that express asense of belonging to a communityand call for participation, not justobservation.Refer back to Module Two for defi-nitions of religious practices, rituals,celebrations and events. In thismodule the emphasis will be onritual however these terms aresometimes used interchangeably.The Sacrament of BaptismThe Sacrament of Baptism is a veryimportant Christian practice. This cele-bration initiates a person into theChristian community through the useof a number of rituals and symbols.Christians celebrate Baptism becauseof the example of Jesus and his com-mand that his disciples baptise. Beforestarting his public ministry, Jesus wasbaptised by John the Baptist and later,when leaving his disciples he com-manded them to baptise all nations.The Sacrament of Baptism relies uponthe ritual use of an ordinary element,water, to convey a deeper experienceand understanding of Christian faith.As a part of the Sacrament of Baptismthe person being Baptised is rituallyimmersed in water. This ritual‘immersion’ and ‘bathing’ symbolisesa number of important beliefs aboutBaptism. For instance, it is a sign thatas the person enters the water thereis a symbolic death and as theyemerge from the water they take on anew life.Saint Paul, referring to Baptism, writes"You were buried with him in baptism,in which you were also raised withhim through faith in the power of God,who raised him from the dead" (Col2:12).Another meaning conveyed in thisritual relates to the use of water forcleaning— the person being Baptisedis ‘washed clean’ by the water. Thisritual ‘washing’ symbolises the‘cleansing’ of Original Sin.2The Rite of BaptismIn Baptism there are a number of ritu-als, signs and symbols used to cele-brate the Sacrament of Baptism.In the Catholic Church the Sacramentof Baptism can be celebrated usingthe Rite of Baptism for Children orRite of Christian Initiation of Adults.Each of these rites involves a numberof distinctive rituals.The Rite of Baptism for ChildrenBaptism typically has a number ofsteps that symbolise how a personcomes to know and follow Jesus.These ‘steps’ involve the use of ritualand symbols that speak about themeaning of Baptism.At the beginning of the Rite of Bap-tism for Children there are some im-portant steps that are reminders forthe community that Baptism is achoice and through Baptism a childbecomes a member of God’s family,the Church. These are: parents are asked two questions:“What do you ask of the Church?”and “What name have you givenyour child?” an action where the celebrantmakes a sign of the cross on theforehead of the child being bap-tised and asks the parents andgodparents to do likewise.The Rite then involves a number ofsteps that are reminders that faithneeds preparation, support andgrowth. These are: a Liturgy of the Word, which in-volves the proclamation of theWord (where passages from theBible are read) and a time of for-mal prayers known as interces-sions a prayer of Exorcism the anointing with the oil of theCatechumensThen there is a profession of faith saidby all. Here, the main beliefs of thecommunity are said aloud.This is then followed by the actualBaptism. This involves the pouring ofwater over the child’s head or theimmersion of the child in water whilethe following words are said:(Name of the child being baptised).I baptise you in the name of the Fa-ther, and of the Son, and of the HolySpirit