S a c r e d H e a r t I n s t it u t e

for Tr a n s f o r m a t iv e E d u c a t io n ( S H I F T ) F o u n d a t io n , I n c.

SACRED HEART SPIRITUALITY AND LEADERSHIP

I am God’s
BELOVED
Relationship with God in the context of the family

GRADE 12 RETREAT
Sophie’s Farm, Brgy. Doña Lucia, Mondragon, Northern Samar, Philippines

DATE

NAME

A ministry of the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) Philippine District.

SACRED HEART INSTITUTE FOR TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION (SHIFT) FOUNDATION, INC.
Sophie’s Farm, Brgy. Doña Lucia, Mondragon, Northern Samar, Philippines

MAIN FACILITATOR:
Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ

SUPPORT TEAM:

Willia Joy Aspa Julie Ann Atencio

Kay-ann Catipay Gleezel Avestruz
Stephanie Turla Kristiane Torres
Syd Baradi Belle Singson
Evelyn Ostan Rebecca Maestre
Jeffrey Sabalza

Contact Person: Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ

Mobile # 0918.918.1253
E-mail: lydiamcolladorscj@gmail.com

Religieuses du Sacré-Coeur de Jesu (RSCJ)

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
Foundress
1800 France

w w w.r s c ji n t e r n a t i o n a l .o r g

I AM GOD’S BELOVED
Printed in Northern Samar, Philippines, 2019

Biblical citations taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible,
unless otherwise noted.

Any part of this kit is may be reproduced or photocopied without the explicit
permission from the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) or the Sacred Heart Institute
for Transformative Education (SHIFT) Foundation, Inc., as long as the necessary
authors are cited as noted.

This kit was reproduced by the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) - Sacred Heart
Institute for Transformative Education (SHIFT) Foundation for the Franciscan Dominice
of Mondragon, Northern Samar, Philippines.

THIS KIT IS NOT FOR SALE.

Exclusively distributed by the Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative Education

(SHIFT) Foundation, Inc.
 INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LANGUAGE OF THE HEART:
MY EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S LOVE
Materials: Recollection Kit, writing pen, colored pens, crayons, Instrumental music

GUIDED PRAYER-REFLECTION-ADORATION
1. ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Silence… You are entering into a retreat/recollection, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and ready
for your Adoration… This is the time to experience and deepen your relationship with Jesus. This is
the time to be in God’s presence. It is the time to spend some silence within and outside of you. Your life
must be noisy and busy. It is the time to allow the Spirit of God to guide your heart and mind.

(Moments of Silence)

2. PRAYERS OF FORGIVENESS

In the name of the Father…

Each one thinks of something or an occasion that he or she would like to ask God for forgiveness from…
after each prayer, we can end with “PATAWAD, PANGINOON, PATAWAD” after which everyone
responds with “Patawad, Panginoon, Patawad”.

3. PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

Each one thinks of something that he or she would like to thank God for… our prayer of gratitude is a
prayer of praise… after each prayer, we can end with “SALAMAT, PANGINOON, SALAMAT” and the
congregation can respond “Salamat, Panginoon, Salamat”.

4. OUR FATHER…

5. REPOSITIONING OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT…

6. HAIL MARY… LITANY OF SAINTS…

7. Collect your Recollection Kit

8. Listen to the explanation for the Worksheet

9. Reflection writing: Language of the Heart

a. After writing your reflection, find a sharing-partner to share with. For each sharing partner choose
one or two questions-responses to share with your sharing-partner. As you go along, choose different
questions-responses to share with your sharing-partner.

b. Spend 4 minutes each to share your reflections; there will be a bell that will indicate the time to begin
and end each sharing……(If there is no bell to signify the time of sharing, try to have as many
sharing-partners as you can)

c. After your sharing, ask your sharing-partner to sign on your reflection page

10. Closing Song: You are mine

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 Module 1 ~ The Language of the Heart: MY EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S LOVE
“I AM GOD’S BELOVED” • SOPHIE’S FARM, BRGY. DOÑA LUCIA, MONDRAGON, NORTHERN SAMAR

As a student of Saint Anthony Academy
(SAA), how can you share or spread the
What is your image of God? Make a drawing, sketch or a
love of God...in your family, at SAA?
symbol of God. Use a blank sheet of bond paper.
Read the Scripture passages, Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 43:1 ,
John 15:16-17, Mark 1:9-11 . What words struck you? Why…
or what do they mean to you?

What name do you call God?

9 How can you express your love for God in this recollection?

2
8
1

2
“You are God’s Beloved..God is so pleased with you.” (cf.
Mk. 1:11). If God will “call you by your name” (cf. Is. 43:1),
what name do you think God will call you? 3
7

4 6

What is your experience of God’s love?

With whom? When? How? How do you express your love and faith in God? Do you
pray? Do you go to Mass?
How did you know about God? Who taught you about God?
 The Recollection and How We Should Pray
Source: Slides of Sr. Joy Luz, RSCJ and YouCat-Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church

“They should seek God in the hope that they might feel after him and find him.
Yet he is not far from each ones of us.”
Acts 17:27

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray
to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6

“Therefor I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer,

believe that you receive it, and you will.”
Matthew 11:24

THE RECOLLECTION...
• Recollection is literally “gathering again” our fragmented selves and relationships
• A Retreat on the other hand is “returning” to the essence of our life, the core of our existence: looking back,
being aware of the present, looking forward to the future
• Whether it is a recollection or retreat, we are always led in the atmosphere of PRAYER.

HOW WE SHOULD PRAY...

• When a person prays, a person overcomes distraction, “recollects him/herself” (gathers his/her
thoughts) and unites him/herself to God.

• Prayer is turning the heart towards God. When a person prays, he enters into a living relationship with
God (CCC 2558-2565).

• Jesus’ life was one single prayer. At decisive moments (his temptation in the desert, his selection of the
apostles, his death on the Cross) his prayer was especially intense. Often he withdrew into solitude to
pray, especially at night. Being one with the Father in the Holy Spirit - that was the guiding principle of
his earthly life (CCC 2600-2605).

• Learning from Jesus how to pray means entering into his boundless trust, joining in his prayer, and
being led by him, step by step, to the Father (CCC 2607-2614, 2621).

• The five main types of prayer are Blessing and Adoration, Prayer of Petition, Prayer of Intercession,
Prayer of Thanksgiving, and Prayer of Praise (CCC 2626-2643).

• A prayer of blessing is a prayer that calls down God’s blessing upon us. From God alone all belssings
flow. His goodness, his closeness, his mercy - that is blessing. “May the Lord bless you” is the shortest
prayer of blessing (CCC 2626-2627).

• God who knows us through and through, knows what we need. Nevertheless, God wants us to ask, to turn
to him in times of need, to cry out, implore, lament, call upon him, indeed even to struggle with him in
prayer (CCC 2629-2933).

• Christian prayer is prayer in the attitude of faith, hope, and charity. It is persevering and resigns itself to
the will of God (CCC 2656-2658, 2662).

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 THE RECOLLECTION
THE SOUL'S AWARENESS OF JESUS CHRIST
TAKEN FROM HOLY COMMUNION
by St. Peter Julian Eymard

THE interior life is to holiness as sap to the tree, as the root to the sap.

It is certain that virtue and perfection may be measured by the depth

of the interior life, and that the more interior a soul is, the more it is
illuminated by Divine light, the stronger in fulfillment of its duty, and
happier in the service of God. Everything make sit recollected,
everything profits it, everything intimately unites it to God.

The interior life may be defined as the family life of the soul with God
and with the Saints; to be interior means to love enough to converse
and live with Jesus.

THE SACRED SPECIES

O you who wish to live with the Eucharist, you more than others, must
devote yourselves to the interior life of Jesus! hat is your goal, your
grace. You must be adorers in spirit and in truth. You are the guard of
honor of the hidden God. His life in the Eucharist is wholly inward. He
veils His Body in It so that you may enter into communication with His
Spirit and His Heart; His voice is heard only inwardly; even His virtues
are hidden in order to make you penetrate to their source, His infinite
and Divine love.

But how attain to this inner life which is the foundation and completion of the external life? There is
only one way, and that is by recollection.

To recollect oneself means to turn from the outward to the inward life. Recollection has three stages:
recollection in the thought of duty; recollection in the grace of virtue; recollection in love.

THE first stage of recollection is attentiveness to the voice of duty, to the law of God.

What is commanded, what forbidden by the law? Is this or that thought, desire, or action in accordance
with the Divine law? The recollected conscience asks itself these questions, and its answer is our guide.

The man who is mindful of his duty watches his conscience, observing its agreement or its
disagreement, its yes or its no, just as a pilot keeps his eye on the compass in order to steer a ship.

This recollection in the law is easy, because the least transgression is followed by torment and trouble of
spirit, as our conscience cries out in protest: "You have done wrong!" There is scarcely any one who
does not hear this voice but he who is the slave of his passions and willfully guilty of sin, who flees from
himself, runs and distracts his mind in order not to hear this inner reproach and see himself as he is.
The devil urges him on, attaches him to an entirely naturalistic life, makes him run a feverish round of
affairs, noise, change, news. In such a state, one hears neither God nor conscience.

The only remedy lies in the grace that comes from an illness or infirmity which will confine such a
person to his bed and force him to face himself, or in humiliations and misfortunes which will
disillusion him and bring home to him the truth of the words of the Imitation: "All is vanity but to love
God and serve Him alone." 1

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Then at least live mindful of the law, recollected in conscience, and obedient to its first admonition. Do
not fall into the habit of disregarding its voice and making it repeat its reproaches. Be attentive to its
first warning. Bind the law of the Lord on your arm and let it be ever before your eyes and your heart.

THE second stage is recollection in the inner spirit of Divine grace.

In our capacity as children of God, the Holy Spirit certainly dwells in our soul, divinely commissioned to
form in it the new man, Jesus Christ, by inculcating in us His virtues, His spirit, His life, in short to
make Jesus Christ anew.

If then the Holy Spirit dwells in us as our Master, our Teacher, our Sanctifier, we must listen to Him, be
at His beck and call, help Him in His work of transforming the old Adam into Jesus Christ. Hence it
follows that it is most necessary for us to be recollected in God present in our soul. For this
transformation into Jesus is accomplished gradually, and we must forward it and work toward it. It is
easy to perform one virtuous act, but to make a virtue habitual, we have to practice it constantly till it
becomes natural to us.

For example, you want to become humble like Jesus, or, rather, you want to reproduce the humble
Jesus within you. Then declare a ceaseless warfare on self-love, on vanity, on pride in every form. And
since the enemy will launch one attack after another, and has spies within the stronghold, ---- having
won a part of you by bribery, ---- you must exercise ceaseless vigilance, watch every step in order to
balk his maneuvers, and keep your weapons at hand to repel his assaults.

To make war on evil, however, is not the whole of

virtue. That merely does the work of clearing and
preparing the ground. It is a proof of fidelity which
God demands of us at the very beginning and which
frees us from the habit of sin. But virtue itself is
attained only through the love and respect it
inspires in us as we observe it in our Lord. It is
attractive only as seen in Him and practiced for
Him. We see it as an attribute of His and are drawn
toward it by the sympathy of love. For whatever our
friend detests is hateful to us; we love whatever he
loves, imitate everything he does. To love virtue in
its various manifestations is, therefore, really to
acquire it. The love of a certain virtue becomes a rule of life to us, makes us strive toward it, and gives
birth to it in our soul. We feel a continual need of it and are happy only when we meet with opportunity
to practice it. But as occasions to practice virtue outwardly, especially heroic virtue, are seldom met
with, our love of it would soon be extinguished if these exterior acts were its only nutriment. Love
therefore keeps virtue alive in the depths of the soul; the mind constantly contemplates its beauty and
excellence in Jesus Christ, sees it divinely embodied, and keeps in constant communication with it. For
the loving and recollected soul, humility simply is Jesus meek and humble of heart; it sees Him,
contemplates Him, admires Him, praises Him, loves Him, and follows Him in all His different acts of
humility. It offers itself to follow His example whenever and in whatsoever manner He may will, leaving
it to His goodness to furnish the necessary occasions, unconcerned whether they be frequent or rare,
secret or public. The virtue of humility is in the soul's love, which is everlasting and contains in itself
alone all virtues with all their various acts. Such is recollection in its second stage, recollection in the
grace of the Holy Ghost, in the love of virtue He inspires in the soul.

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RECOLLECTION in love constitutes the third stage.

The soul, having given itself hitherto to inner recollection in order to consult either its conscience or its
grace, ---- the voice of the Holy Spirit, ---- now leaves itself to enter into God, to live in God. For that is
the natural effect of love, to transport one into the beloved, so that one lives in and for him. It labors
solely to please the loved one and be acceptable to him, consults, therefore, first and foremost, his
thought, or influence, or desire, and, when that is not clear, even guesses it, penetrates it.

So the first thought of a soul thus recollected in its God is

not to consider whether a certain act suggested to it will
please or profit itself, but to consult Jesus Christ to see
whether it will please Him and be to His glory. The soul is
all the happier if, to please Him, it must deny itself and
make some sacrifice.

This is not recollection in an act or in a virtue to be

practiced, like the first two types; it is recollection in the
Person of Jesus Christ Himself and in a devoted love for
Him. This love being the center of the soul's life becomes
also the law thereof; everything Jesus wills and desires, everything that can give Him pleasure, becomes
the pure and all-absorbing passion of the heart. It is thus that a dutiful child lives for a dear father, for a
tenderly loved mother; thus, too, a faithful wife, who belongs wholly to her spouse. Et ego illi. 2 "And I
to Him."

In this stage of recollection the soul enjoys entire liberty, because it lives by the spirit of love; it belongs
to everything and to nothing; everything increases its recollection, because it sees God's will in
everything. This is the recollection indicated by our Lord's words at the Last Supper: "Abide in Me, and
I in you. ... He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit. ... If you abide in Me, and
My words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. ... If you keep My
commandments, you shall abide in My love; as I also have kept my Father's commandments, and do
abide in His love." 3

Thus perfect recollection consists in abiding in the love of our Lord.

Is it very difficult, and does it take long to attain to it? All depends on the love that is in the heart. When
love of Jesus Christ has become an habitual thought, full of sweetness and strength, when we desire it
with a holy passion, when our heart is sad without Jesus, unhappy in His absence, happy at the very
thought of Him, then we are abiding in His love.

The essential thing is to make all our life contribute to this love, to render our affection for Jesus
habitual, our attention to Him constant.

Finally, the facility with which we practice recollection, the peace and the sweetness we enjoy in
recollection, these are Divine evidence that we possess it and that we are abiding in the love of Jesus.
Manete in dilectione mea. 4 ---- "Abide in My love." May our Lord grant us this love by which we shall
attain to holiness and happiness in this world and in the one to come!

1. Bk. I, Ch. I, No. 3.

2. Cant. 11:16.
3. John 15:4, 5, 7, 10.
4. John 15:9

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 MODULE 1

THE CALL TO BELOVEDNESS

Adapted by Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ from Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen

You are God’s Beloved

'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.' Matthew 3:17 - 4:1

Let God’s voice reverberate in your heart,

“You are my Beloved.”

A voice came from heaven, 'You are

my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests
on you.
Mark 1:11 (

When was the last time somebody told

you, “You are dear to me.. You are
precious… I accept you for what you
are… I LOVE YOU… I LOVE YOU
VERY MUCH.”

Look! My servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delights, I will
send my Spirit upon him, and he will present judgement to the nations. Matthew 12:18

God is offering us a relationship: You are my Beloved, allow me to love you and make you
my beloved.

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 He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and
suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he
enjoys my favour. Listen to him.' Matthew 17:5

Our relationships are all about that: giving each other the gift of our belovedness.

Oftentimes, it is not easy to hear that voice in a world that is filled with noise and negative
voices: You are not good enough, you are ugly, you are impossible, you are despicable, you
are nobody --- unless you prove otherwise.

Sometimes the opposite voices of belovedness are so loud and persistent that we tend to
believe and own them already. Ant that is the time when we fall into the trap of self-
rejection.

Henri Nouwen in his book, Life of the beloved, where this whole topic of “Belovedness” is
based on, said that “the greatest trap in our life in not success, popularity or power, but
self-rejection.” They are a great temptation but
they are just a part of a much larger and
deeper temptation which is the self-rejection.
Nouwen added that “When we have come to
believe in the voices that call us worthless and
unlovable, then success, popularity and power
are easily perceived as attractive solutions”

Self-rejection then becomes the greatest

enemy of spiritual life because it reiterates our
negative image of ourselves. Self-rejection
despises the sacred voice that calls us the
“Beloved”. Our acceptance of our belovedness reveals the core truth of our being, the sole
nature of our soul.

And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and from the cloud there came a voice,
'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him. Mark 9:7

RELATIONSHIPS
Source: Reflections of Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ on The Beloved of God

John 15:9-17 I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. If you
keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's
commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in
you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have
loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are
my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall no longer call you servants, because a

8
servant does not know the master's business; I call you friends, because I have made
known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me, no, I
chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that
the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. My command to you is to
love one another.

1. Our basic nature is to connect, to unite , to be in communion with our

Creator and to one another…

God said, 'Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves. We seek and find
who we are within and with those who resemble or resonate with us. So we seek God,
because we have been made from God and according to the image of God. We seek God
because we seek for our completeness. Our completeness is with an din God.

On the human level, we normally seek for the same thing. We look for the person whom we
think can complete us. Isn’t that what happened when you found one another? You were
attracted to each other, because there is something in the other that is what you have been
looking for.

However, there are times when, you seem to look for or attract what you hate most. I have
heard some people say that when they get married, they will not look for the same person
like this or that… but just to find themselves finding the person who have the qualities that
they hate.

In psychology, Carl Jung made a theory on “shadow”. And one religious Sister, a favorite
author of mine, Karen Berry, OSF, made an elaboration of it in a very reflective way. She
said that “Each of us has a shadow side--- that part of ourselves that we don’t acknowledge
or can’t feel comfortable with. The part that embarrasses us or annoys us when we see those
characteristics in another person, that part we haven’t recognized or embraced or learned to
benefit from.

Our shadow side is a shadow not because it isn’t loved. And when there is a part of
ourselves that we don’t love, then we find it hard to love anyone else who resembles that
part.

There is another kind of shadow too. There is the part we don’t recognize because it is so
good and lovable. It is the untapped potential in ourselves --- that part we are always
seeking through others, the part we find when we fall in love, the part we project onto
another and then we want to unite with so we can feel whole. When others seem to have
the characteristics we most admire, we seek their friendship and companionship. It
becomes important to us to be identified with them. In experiencing their goodness, we
have a sense of being at home and at one. (Karen Berry, OSF, “Beyond Broken Dreams”)

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2. The union of two beings, two hearts should be much bigger than the two
brought together.

You lose yourself, but actually don’t , you lose the original “smallness” of yourself, because
you become “richer”, you become “bigger”.

Most of all, your “value” is increased or multiplied. When you get married, or get into a
relationship, you add value to each other. It cannot be that one increases and the other
decreases… both should “increase”. A real sacrifice for the other can also be considered
“added value” to the one who does the sacrifice, because she/he becomes happier, fulfilled
in seeing that the other is growing. Real love and giving nourishes, there is joy. “Hindi
miserable. Ito ay nagbibigay buhay, hindi nagbabawas ng buhay” When you see your
loved ones happy, growing to what God would want them to be, then you also get the same
life within you.

When we are given the chance to do or live out our purpose, or what we came here for, there
is more life within us and to those we intend our life for.

Whenever I contemplate Jesus in his trial,

Mark 15:2 Pilate put to him this question, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' He replied, 'It is
you who say it.'

John 18:36-37 Jesus replied, 'Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were
of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. As
it is, my kingdom does not belong here.' Pilate said, 'So, then you are a king?' Jesus
answered, 'It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world
for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my
voice.'

I can somehow feel the agony/stress of Jesus, but deeper than that is the “joy and
conviction” of being able to proclaim what he came here for, without saying it, he knew “…
my kingdom is not of this world…, I am a king in the kingdom of God.. .in the Kingdom of
my Father…”

There was a deep joy, because it was towards the fulfillment of his purpose in life. Most of
all, it was life giving, as it still to us up to this moment..”

So the question is, “How do we give life to each other.. to one another? Do we give
life or do we take life from the other…” It is worth discovering how our family life,
giving life to one another and to your community.

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 BECOMING GOD’S BELOVED
We are already God’s beloved, but we still have “to become” the beloved. It is a great spiritual
journey that we take in life. Becoming the Beloved means letting the truth of our Belovedness
enfleshed in everything we think, say or do.

“My soul is restless until it rests in you” St. Augustine

“If it is true that we not only are the Beloved, but also have to become the Beloved; if it is true
that we not only are the children of God, but also have to become children of God; if it is true?

To become the beloved, we need to allow the movements of the Spirit in our lives. There are
four movements we can enter into: TAKEN, BLESSED, BROKEN and GIVEN

A. TAKEN

It is important that we recognize our being the Beloved before so we can choose to become
one. The first step to a spiritual life is to acknowledge that we are so loved by God. Another
word for “take” which may be warmer to use is “choose”. As children of God, we are God’s
chosen ones.

B. BLESSED

As God’s Beloved, we are blessed. In Latin, to bless is benedicere. The word “benediction”
used in many churches means literally: speaking (dictio) well (bene) or saying or epekeing
well of the other. If God is blessing us, then God speaks well, feels well, thinks well of us.
We need to affirm one another, thus bless one another.

C. BROKEN

All of us has an experience of brokenness. I am broken. You are broken. They are so
tangible and concretely seen in our lives.

Our brokenness is ours. We know what they are. No one else can take responsibility of
them. We have been pained and suffered because of them. However, our brokenness touch
our uniqueness and our most intimate individuality. Our brokenness is as unique as our
chosenness and blessedness.

D. GIVEN or Shared

We are blessed and broken so as to be given. Our chosen, blessed and broken have their
fulfillment in being given. In giving what whatever we received, it becomes clear that we are
chosen, blessed and broken not simply for our own sakes, but so that all we live finds
significance in its being lived for others.

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 Module 2
H.E.A.R.T.S.
The H.E.A.R.T.S. was adapted from the reflection, COMMUNITY OF HEARTS
by Sr. Lydia M. Collado, RSCJ, Religious Life Asia, October–December 2003 Issue, Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia.
Let us now discover the meaning of the H.E.A.R.T.S. of Christ in our life, as well as in our life with the whole
Christian family.
H-OME Belongingness
E-MPATHY Inner Strength to Love, to Obey and to Share
A-LONE with GOD Prayer – Discernment on God’s Will
R-ECONCILIATION Forgiveness and Compassion
T-HANKSGIVING Gratitude
S-ENT Mission
H-OME
“If you make my word your home you will indeed be my
disciple” (Jn. 8:31). “Come to me all you who labor and
are heavily burdened and I will give you rest. Shoulder
my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble of hearts, and you will find rest for your souls”
(Mt. 11: 28-29).
“There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I
am going to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:2).
In an ordinary setting, most of the time, one’s life
begins and ends at home. The famous song for our
overseas workers says it all, “Babalik Ka Rin” (Surely,
you will come back). Let us reflect on our own lives
and the effect of our home experiences on us.
Although our lives do not end in a physical home, our
concept of a home may be expanded, and wherever
we go, we should be “at home.” Being “at home” also
offers the best disposition to cultivate and nourish
our ideals. Home offers us the optimal atmosphere of
security to displace all fears and uncertainties.
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Finally, home promotes love and acceptance for
everyone. It is, as the modern parlance has it, “feeling
secure”.
Home is the place where our vocation to love for life
had its beginning. All the members of our families
and other people associated with our lives had a part
to play: they introduced us to a world where love and
sharing were essential components of everyday life.
This is similar to John Powell’s belief that, “We are a
product of the people who loved us and those who did
not love us.” In short, the person that we are now is
very much a product of how were been taught and
brought up by our families at home. Our concept of a
home may have helped us to understand more easily
the invitation of Jesus to come home to him: “If you
make my word your home You will indeed be my
disciple” (Jn. 8:31).”Come to me all you who labor and
are heavily burdened and I will give you rest.
Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle
and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your
souls.” (Mt. 11: 28-29).
We are called to live like a family - brothers and
sisters, even if we have just met and will be meeting a
new person for the first time. It is really a mystery to
establish relationships with people who have a
different orientation and outlook in life. Even if we
are born in the same family, we must work to be
united in the spirit of love and friendship.
Going back to our experiences at home, we realize
how the expectations set on us by our parents when
we were children are somewhat similar to our
expectations of others. We all need a home, to feel a
sense of belongingness and “to feel secure that we
are loved and accepted.”
For generations, family is considered as a place
where parents and children come close with one
another and share the same faith in the love of God.
Nowadays however, it is no longer considered
imperative by many to have the family as a priority in
deciding their goals in life. The outside factor of
opportunities and the issue of poverty within the
family has been the prevailing reason why parents
and children do not live together these days.
Today, to perform our role, we need dynamism. If we
are creative, there are many ways and means by
which we can make things meaningful and dynamic.
Jesus once talked about His Father’s House, “There
are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going
to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:2). Let us allow
these words to inspire us and reflect on our “Parents’
House”.
Like our “Parents’ House”, our life as a family can
have many rooms to be explored. And what are the
“rooms” in our homes? What are they for? Who can
enter those rooms? Which rooms do we enter
together? And which ones do we go into separately?
Is there love and friendship in each room? Are there
other rooms you would like to open in your life as a
family?
Value: BELONGINGNESS
“Remember, you have a home and a family. Whatever
happens to you, whether you succeed or fail, in good
times or in bad times, do not hesitate to come back
home to us.” Isn’t it so consoling to be told these
words by our family members? All of us need to be
assured that we have somewhere we belong. We
want to know that we belong to people who love and
accept us for who we are. Our experience however
may be the opposite of this affection. Maybe there has
never been a home waiting for us. There may not be
any assurance of having a family to go back home to
in case of misfortune.
What has been our experience at home? Is our way
of loving affected by our experience of belonging or
non-belongingness?
E-MPATHY
The greatest thing you can do to a person is not so
much to give something to the person, but to reveal
to that person the beauty and the giftedness of
her/his person. One of the best ways to do this is
13
through empathy. Empathy means to feel with the
other. To feel with the other is to enter in to the
dispositions of one’s heart. If we are able to feel with
the other, then we will be more understanding,
accepting and supportive.
One of the best things a parent can do for her/his
child is to make the child feel that she or he is heard,
understood and that her/his feelings and ideas are
counted, especially in decision making. This needs a
lot of listening and detachment from one’s judgment
of the situation. Most of the time, we just want to feel
that there is a person beside us, journeying with us
no matter where we are led by the Spirit in the
journey. The beauty of being a family is when we are
assured that our family is with us and one with our
feelings and with anything that we are undergoing.
Value: INNER STRENGTH TO LOVE, TO OBEY, TO
SHARE
Compassion means not only to feel with another, but
also to suffer with another. Parents are usually the
first ones to be with their children especially in times
of need. Compassion is a deep way to be with
another. It is almost like being “one mind” with
another. Children who have experienced their
parents’ love during times of difficulties are more
likely to share the same things with others. There is
nothing we can do with one another especially with a
member of our families than to make each other feel
the love. Eventually, the child learns that the love is
God, is something similar to being with, to taking care
and feeling with one another.
A-LONE WITH GOD
Our life is bound by our consecration to the love of
God or to the Heart of Jesus where the proof of God’s
love flowed out for us in spite of pain and suffering.
We feel the union with God at prayer and outside of it
through our deep contemplation of God’s presence
within and among us. Family life is possible because
of the common call and connectedness to God who
has gifted us with our vocation. Our center in the
family is God. As a family, it may be good to reflect on
how we have decided to make the Heart of Christ our
center, or how Christ has been holding us in his
Heart.
Praying alone or together helps us to deepen our
bonds with the Spirit, which is needed to follow the
Sprit’s lead in our daily life. If we may ask, “What is at
the bottom of prayer?” We can say that “At the
bottom of prayer is love, communication, self-giving...
After we have prayed, we should be able to share with
others our experience with God.” Life is about
relationships. It does not matter whether the
relationship is a painful, joyful, hard or easy one; the
important thing is that we are related with God. Our
communion with God is supposed to enhance our
capacity to be free and to let other members of our
family be free to discover the will of God in our
everyday life. Aloneness with God is supposed to let
us be free and transparent in the Spirit. If we truly
experience this, then we will be able to share it with
another in the family and whoever we meet along the
way. This is the desire that Jesus has for us.
Reflective Questions:
In your relationships, how spontaneous are you in
sharing the fruits of your prayer with one another?
How often do you pray together? Is there room or a
corner in your homes where you can be alone with
God, or pray as a family and be able to share with one
another the fruits of your prayer or “aloneness” with
God?
Value: PRAYER-DISCERNMENT ON GOD’S WILL
14
“We didn’t realize that loving you would also mean
saying yes to what God would call you to do. What you
want to do in life may not be what we want for you.
This may be painful, but we do not like to be a
hindrance to what God wants for you. We are always
here to support you in whatever endeavor God will
entrust to you.” As your people, we are called to
facilitate the discernment of vocation of the younger
ones in the family. If we love the person, we should
not get in the way of what the Spirit is calling the
person to do.
R-ECONCILIATION
“But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse
you, pray for those who treat you badly. To anyone
who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek as
well; to anyone who takes your cloak from you, do not
refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and
do not ask for your property back from someone who
takes it. Treat others as you would like people to treat
you. If you love those who love you, what credit can
you expect? Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what
credit can you expect? For even sinners do that much.”
(Luke 6:27-32)
Reconciliation has become a very important word in
the world today, probably due to the efforts and
example of the Pope. In numerous occasions,
gatherings and liturgical celebrations, he has taken
up the lead and offered reconciliation to various
groups like the Jews, Indigenous Indians, and
scientists, etc. The Holy Father has shown us how to
accept our past mistakes and misconceptions in
order to witness to the Kingdom of God. But in order
to achieve reconciliation, one must be willing to
forgive and forgo all the hurts and sad memories.
Reconciliation can never be reached if it is not
accompanied by forgiveness, readiness to receive
forgiveness, and willingness to forget or put aside all
previous estrangements and hostilities.
It also goes on to say that in any process of
reconciliation, one cannot do away without
compassion. This component or quality of
compassion is a gift that one nourishes in his/her
family life. It is only natural to aspire to this trait or
quality since Jesus demonstrated and demanded of it.
The story of the Rich Young Man (Mk 10,21) and the
Feeding of Five Thousand (Mk. 6:34) illustrate how
Jesus Himself was compassionate.
T-HANKSGIVING
Life, as we have always been told at home is a gift,
and so must be shared freely. Later, we discovered
that within this gift, there were many surprise gifts: it
was up to us to choose from them, open and share.
Our vocation is indeed a gift. Again, within this gift
are many other gift packages that we can share with
many. One of the best ways to share the hundredfold
of our life is to share our physical and spiritual space
with others. It is like the Eucharist: our family can be
an offertory table for all, in thanksgiving for the Body

Yet another enriching word that one may use

together with compassion is empathy. This endearing
idea requires each one not only to accept the gamut
of feelings that others could be having but also to
undergo the whole process. Imagine living in a place
where everyone is preoccupied with and enslaved in
one’s personal world. It would be very hard to listen
to each other’s woes and worries. How much more
difficult it would be if one is to empathize with
everyone! Yet the Lord is quick to dispel these
difficulties because he showed how to empathize in
several occasions. The touching scene of Jesus
visiting Lazarus’ grave (Jn 11, 33) and his encounter
with the widow of Naim (Lk. 6, 13) are two of such
of Christ freely given to us every day.
occasions.
Looking back at our own experiences of thanksgiving
Reflective Questions
in our family, let us start with this question, “Why
Is there anyone in my family whom I have to
should we be thankful?” Thanksgiving or gratitude is
reconcile with? How do I say sorry or “please forgive
not only a universal or Asian value or trait but also a
me” to family? Do they recognize my way of
very Filipino practice. The proverbial maxim “Ang
reconciling with them? Are there any issues that my
hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi
family needs to be reconciled with? Is my family
makakarating sa paroroonan” (He who does not
receptive, nurturing and conducive to becoming
recognize where he comes from, will never reach his
forgiving, forgetting and compassionate? Is there
destination), speaks very much for thanksgiving. If
anybody in my family whom I should empathize
we are not thankful to those who have been
with?
instrumental in our lives, it will make us proud and
ungrateful.
Value:
FORGIVENESS AND COMPASSION
Constant and continuous examination of our “roots”
and even remembering those people who have
“As long as you are in this home, you have to remember
recently helped us enables us to be more receptive to
that you are brothers and sisters, love each other. Do
the giftedness of the other and to be more thankful.
not quarrel with each other. If you cannot avoid
The receptivity and the “awareness” of one’s blessing
conflict, make it sure that you do not sleep without
is a good stance and starting point in one’s prayer
saying sorry to the person concerned.” This is very
life. Consciousness of being gifted makes one thankful
important. Dialogue and listening to one another
and even more prayerful since it makes us recognize
especially when there is a conflict is important in any
God as an abundant Provider. God’s love is abundant,
family. Forgiveness is learned at home. Feeling with
if only we are capable of increasing our capacity to
and suffering with the other members of the family
receive and to share.
help in strengthening relationships with one another.

15
Being thankful and recognizing one’s gifts could also
make one humble. Recognizing one’s numerous gifts
and talents is an acknowledgement that these gifts
are not of our own making but created and given to
us by God. The ultimate result of this awareness is to
come to grips with and to recognize our finitude,
creatureness, and fragility. In the end it gives us the
power to become humble and to accept what the
Lord bestows on each individual. The story of Job is a
good illustration of gratitude even in the midst of
severe turmoil and adversity (Job 1, 21).
To deepen our consciousness and reflection on the
spirit of gratitude, we may ask ourselves: Do I live
my vocation as a thanksgiving? Is my vocation freely
received and being freely given? What are the events,
people and things that I have been grateful for
recently? Has my spirituality incorporated gratitude,
particularly in my prayers and responsibilities in my
family? Are there avenues or opportunities for
gratitude to be practiced in a specified manner in my
family or outside of it?
Value: GRATITUDE
“We cannot give you all that you want or all that you
need. But we are trying to provide you with the best
that we can. Be grateful for whatever you receive. All
we can give you is our love. We do not have enough
material wealth to leave for you. Thank God for your
life and consider everything as a gift. Sharing and
giving your best is a sign of thanksgiving.” We learn
how to be grateful at home and how to express this
gratitude to others. We need to encourage each one
to say “thank you” from the simplest to the very big
thing that we receive. We may not have enough
material wealth to leave our family or friends but we
leave ourselves and our good deeds. This imperative
to share our best can inspire others to offer to God in
gratitude whatever they have received as blessings.
God is giving us the best, and so in gratitude, we also
must learn to offer the best that we have.
S-ENT
The idea of “being sent” is a topic discussed
extensively. Many contend that mission or “being
sent” is a natural consequence of one’s determination
to express and deepen one’s faith as one baptized
into the Catholic faith is expected not only to live out
the faith but also to share it through mission work.
Our families in themselves are in mission and for the
mission. Through our mission, we are also
16
continually transformed and purified in the ways of
His Heart.
Another natural consequence is that through the
mission, we strengthen our faith conviction
expressed in our charisms. If we consciously express
and practice what we believe, it is likely that we
would become more convinced of our beliefs.
Being sent is not only inevitable but also prescribed
by Jesus Christ. On the very last moment before
ascending to heaven, He commanded his disciples,
“Go to all peoples everywhere and make disciples,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them all that I
have commanded you.” (Mt 28, 19 - 20). Being sent or
mission does not only serve to strengthen one’s faith
but also to transform the whole Universal Church.
We are being sent by Jesus not individually but as
a Family.
Value: MISSION
Adults have a role in the imagination and dreaming of
children about their future. The sense of mission of
our children may have come from the experiences
that they had at home. In the same way, we can
examine ourselves about our experiences at home
when we were children and growing up. What are
the attitudes that we bring and share with our
children now? How are our children learning from
our family?
Heart is Home that welcomes all.
Heart is Empathy that teaches the abandoned.
Heart is Aloneness with God that deepens faith.
Heart is Reconciliation to broken relations.
Heart is Thanksgiving to blessings received.
Heart is Sent to the mission of Jesus and for Jesus.
 A MODEL OF FAMILY LIFE
For a model Family Life, we may not be able to think of a definite form but the elements or values to shape our family life.
They are the H.E.A.R.T.S. that we have reflected upon above. The following guidelines for family living stem from them.

Let our families be H-OME for the members. . Each one of us is longing for a HOME. Even “E.T.” in the movie of the same title
longs for his home. As he says, “Home! Home!,” his heart brightens up with red light. We need families that can be considered
home for every religious. We are members of our families not because of what we give or what we can get but because God
called us to be members of that family. Home can be a place where every member would like to go home, not only because of
our responsibilities, but also because it is a “home where our heart is.”

Let our families E-MPATHIZE with others. Since we have vowed ourselves to live our life in our families, we need to
empathize with one another in everything that will help one to fulfill her/his life of love and service. Our families should be life
giving, motivating each one upward to the Spirit, not downward, and without competition. Our gifts are not ours. We are called
to share them not so much according to how the world regards, but according to how Christ used His gifts for the Kingdom. We
need to help each other discover what Jesus meant when he said, “Your heart will always be where your riches are” (Lk 12:34).
“The one who is least among you all is the greatest” (Lk.9:48) “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor, the
Kingdom of heaven belongs to them” (Mt 5:3).

Let our families give space to be A-LONE with GOD. This is the key for us to continue living. Our connectedness is
ultimately through our response and commitment to God. As individuals, we need space and time to be alone with God. If we
are all listening to God, no one among us will get in the way of the Spirit and our life and mission will move on beyond the
limits of the structures that we have set and gotten used to. Family life will then grow beyond our imagination.

Let our families facilitate R-ECONCILIATION among members and with other people. Tensions and conflicts are part of
everyday life. Individual differences come in the way. Personal interests to secure one’s turf consciously or unconsciously
interfere. Honesty, humility and openness to dialogue are needed. Compassion is crucial so that the person concerned in the
family will be able to open his/her wounded side for healing and reconciliation. Only then, the “water of life and love” can flow
out of her/his side.

Let our families be a sign of T-HANKSGIVING for our gift of life and vocation. Our families can be a place where we
celebrate our life and vocation. We celebrate because we are grateful. We offer because of gratitude. We responded to God
when we were called to family life because of gratitude for all that we received, not because of indebtedness or obligation.
Only a grateful heart can share fully. Only a thankful heart can offer one’s life for the other.

Let our families be S-ENT to do the mission of Jesus and for Jesus. No family could exist for itself alone. A family is in
mission and for the mission in the sense that it is supporting each member who are called to share in the love of God and who
in turn are called to share the same blessing with others.

Let our families be a sign of the KINGDOM of GOD. Let us continue to build the Kingdom of God through the H.E.A.R.T.S. of
our families.

17
 Module 3

THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND

RECONCILIATION
(From Reconciliatio et Paenitentia [RP] On Reconciliation and Penance in the Mission of the Church Today. Apostolic
Exhortation of John Paul II following the Synod on Penance, 1984)

What follows is a summary of Church

teaching on the sacrament of penance and
its current practice. In a series of quotes
arranged topically in the general outline
the sacrament is presented. Frequently
asked questions about the celebration of
the sacrament are included at the end.

Sacramental confession is a privileged

moment of intimacy between the
individual Christian and God. Since these
quotes derive from various Church
documents they were written as instructive since they pertain to the life of the Church they are also
regulatory and juridical in nature. What is to be remembered however, in the gentle reminder which
closes the church‘s Code of Canon Law and describes its purpose: the salvation of souls is always the
supreme law of the Church.

The Church Is Both Holy And Always In Need Of Purification

Christ ―loved the Church and gave Himself up for it to make it holy‖ (Ephesians 5:25-26). He united the
Church to Himself as a bride. He filled it with His divine gifts, because it is His Body and His fullness,
through the Church He spreads truth and grace upon all.

The members of the Church, however, are exposed to temptation and often fall into the wretchedness of
sin. As a result, ―whereas Christ, ‗holy, harmless, undefiled‘ (Hebrews 7:26), knew no sin (see 2
Corinthians 5:21) but came solely to seek pardon for the sins of His people (see Hebrews 2:17), the
Church, having sinners in its midst, is at the same time holy and in need of cleansing, and so is
unceasingly intent on repentance and reform.‖

Penance In The Church‟s Life And Liturgy

The people of God accomplish and perfect this continual repentance in many different ways. They share
in the sufferings of Christ by enduring their own difficulties, carry out works of mercy and charity, and
adopt ever more fully the outlook of the Gospel message. Thus the people of God become in the world a
sign of conversion to God. All this the Church expresses in its life and celebrates in its liturgy when the
faithful confess that they are sinners and ask pardon of God and of their brothers and sisters. This
happens in penitential services, in the proclamation of the word of God, in prayer, and in the penitential
parts of the Eucharistic celebration (Introduction to the Rite of Penance).

What is Sin?

Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with Him. At the same time it
damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God‘s forgiveness and
reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of
Penance and Reconciliation (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1440).

18
Sin is the root of division and alienation within the human family.
Our shattered world owes its state to the presence of sin:

 the trampling upon the basic rights of the human person

 hidden attacks and pressures against the freedom of individuals
 the various forms of discrimination: racial, cultural, religious, etc.
 violence and terrorism
 the stockpiling of conventional or atomic weapons
 the arms race with the spending on military purposes of sums
 which could be used to alleviate the undeserved misery of peoples that are socially and
economically depressed
 an unfair distribution of the world‘s resources and of the assets
of civilization.

Mortal Sin and Venial Sin
Tracing its origin to scripture and reaching into
the earliest centuries of the Church, tradition
and Church teaching have distinguished two
kinds of sin: mortal and venial. Mortal (grave or
serious) sin is ―the act by which man freely and
consciously rejects God, His law, the covenant
of love that God offers, preferring to turn in on
himself or to some created and finite reality,
something contrary to the divine will (
conversio ad creaturam). This can occur in a
direct and formal way in the sins of idolatry,
apostasy and atheism; or in an equivalent way
as in every act of disobedience to God‘s
commandments in a grave matter‖ (RP). By
such a ―conscious and free act of his will he can
change course and go in a direction opposed to
God‘s will, separating himself from God (aversio
a Deo), rejecting loving communion with Him,
detaching himself from the life principle which
God is and consequently choosing death‖ (RP).
For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be
together met: a sin whose object is grave
matter, is committed with full knowledge and
deliberate consent. Grave matter is specified by
the Ten Commandments.
Full knowledge presupposes knowledge of the
sinful character of the act. It also implies a
consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal
choice (Catechism 1857-1859). ―Mortal sin, by
attacking the vital principle within us — that is,
charity — necessitates a new initiative of God‘s
mercy and a conversion of heart which is
normally accomplished within the setting of the
sacrament of reconciliation‖ (Catechism 1856).
―One commits venial sin when, in a less serious
matter, he does not observe the standard
prescribed by the moral law, or when he
disobeys the moral law in a grave manner, but
without full knowledge or without complete
consent. Venial sin weakens charity; it manifest
a disordered affection for created goods; it
impedes the soul‘s progress in the exercise of
the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it
merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and
unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little
to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does
not set us in direct opposition to the will and
friendship of God; it does not break the
covenant with God. With God‘s grace it is
humanly reparable‖ (Catechism 1862-1863).
While the Church teaches that sacrament of
penance is not strictly necessary for the
forgiveness of venial sin — these are forgiven
through reception of the Eucharist (Catechism
1394), acts of sorrow, works of charity, prayer,
and penitential rites (RP) – the Church strongly
recommends confession of everyday faults
(venial sins) (Catechism 1458).

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Social Sin

There are three meanings of this term. Each

individual‘s sin in some way affects others and
therefore ―there is no sin, not even the most
intimate and secret one, the most strictly individual
one, that exclusively concerns the person
committing it. With greater or lesser violence, with
greater or lesser harm, every sin has repercussions
on the entire ecclesial body and the whole human
family. According to the first meaning of the term,
every sin can undoubtedly be considered as social
sin‖ (Rite of Penance).

Secondly, social sins are understood to be those

which constitute a direct attack against one‘s
brother or sister. This sense of social sin ―can be applied to sins of commission or omission — on the
part of political, economic, or trade union leaders, who though in a position to do so, do not work
diligently and wisely for the improvement and transformation of society according to the requirements
and potential of the given historic moment; as also on the part of workers who through absenteeism or
non-cooperation fail to ensure that their industries can continue to advance the well-being of the
workers themselves, of their families and of the whole society‖ (Rite of Penance).

The third meaning of social sin refers to the relationships

between the various human communities. The class
struggle as well as obstinate confrontation between blocs of
nations, between one nation and another, between
different groups within the same nation are examples of
social evil. Social sin does not, however, take away
accountability for individual sin. Social sin is the result of
many personal sins. ―It is a case of the very personal sins of
those who cause or support evil or who exploit it; of those
who are in a position to avoid, eliminate or at least limit
certain social evils but who fail to do so out of laziness, fear
or the conspiracy of silence, through secret complicity or
indifference; of those who take refuge in the supposed
impossibility of changing the world and also of those who sidestep the effort and sacrifice required,
producing specious reasons of higher order. The real responsibility, then, lies with individuals‖ (Rite of
Penance).

Frequently Asked Questions about

the Sacrament of Penance
What is the name of this sacrament?
It is most often called the Sacrament of Penance, sometimes also the Sacrament of Penance and
Reconciliation. The liturgical rite is called the ―rite of penance‖ and its different forms are known as
―rites of reconciliation‖. The names really describe two aspects of the same sacramental reality; its
process and effects. Through penance, the process of sorrow, forgiveness, absolution, and expiation for
sins forgiven, we are reconciled with God and each other.

20
How often must I receive the Sacrament of Penance?
A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is recommended for all. After reaching the age of
discretion (commonly accepted to be seven years of age), the faithful are to confess serious sins at least
once a year (Code of Canon Law, canon 989).

What sins must I confess?

Serious sins must be confessed in number and kind. It is recommended that venial sins also be
confessed (Code of Canon Law, canon 988).

Do I use the confessional or may I confess face to face with the priest?
The penitent always has the option to use a confessional. A confessional may be a reconciliation chapel
or room, which allows the option for the penitent‘s kneeling at a fixed grill. Confessions may be heard
outside a confessional for a just cause (Code of Canon Law, Canon 964, NCCB, decree, BCL Newsletter
10 (1974) 450).

What about the “Act of Contrition”?

After the penitent confesses his or her sins, the priest asks the penitent to express sorrow. This may be
done in one of the traditional forms or in the penitent‘s own words similar to the traditional forms, or in
other forms (Rite of Penance). Other forms include these prayers from scripture or tradition: Psalm
51:4-5 - Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. I acknowledge my offense; my sin is
before me always. Luke 15:21 - Father, I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called
your son. Be merciful to me, a sinner. The ―Jesus Prayer‖ - Lord Jesus, Son of God have mercy on me, a
sinner.

I haven‟t been to confession in a long time, how will I know what to do?
The rites are outlined above, but let the confessor be your guide. His ministry is that of Christ. His task
is reconciliation. He is most concerned with helping you experience the graces of the sacrament, not
how well you remember the rite. In a communal celebration there are always programs to help the
assembly. In addition, the presider will give instructions at various points during the service.

Why is it that communal celebrations of the sacrament of penance seem to differ from
parish to parish?
―It is for priests, and especially parish priests (pastors):
 in celebrating reconciliation with individuals or with a community, to adapt the rite to the
concrete circumstances of the penitents. They must preserve the essential structure and the
entire form of absolution, but if necessary they may omit some parts of the rite for pastoral
reasons or enlarge upon them, may select the texts of readings or prayers, and may choose a
place more suitable for the celebration according to the regulations of the conference of bishops,
so that the entire celebration may be enriching and effective;
 to celebrate and prepare occasional penitential services during the year especially in Lent. In
order that the texts chosen and the order of celebration may be adapted to the conditions and
circumstances of the community or group (for example, children, sick persons, etc.), priests may
be assisted by others, including the laity.‖

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 EXAMEN OF CONSCIENCE (Personal/Individual)
Source: Catholic Bishops‘ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Formation Module on the Year of the Poor 2015, ―Look at Jesus‖

Can be used for Daily (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) Prayers

This prayer can be done formally or wherever you are, when you wake up, while on travel, before you go
to sleep. As long as you make a conscious effort to focus your being on the presence of God. The reality
of our lives is that we are so busy. But if we get used to the simple sequence of prayer below, it can be a
habit which we can use anytime, anywhere and at any circumstance. Adapted from Consciousness
Examen by Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

1. Prayer for Enlightenment

Loving God, send me your spirit, make me become more aware of your presence in my life.
Enlighten my mind and heart, let me set aside any thought, concern or imagination that will
hinder me from focusing on you. Lord Jesus, be present with me. Give me the courage to
―Look at You‖, I know that you are gazing at me with your love, mercy and compassion…
(spend moments of silence)… I feel your presence and love embracing me

2. Reflective Thanksgiving
Lord, I really have nothing I can call my own, I am poor. But I know that I am also very rich
because you have given me everything…my life, my good heart, intelligence, my will... all
that I have. Everything in my life is a gift.

Lord I thank you for… (what are blessings in your life that you want to thank God for?)

3. Practical Survey of Actions

Lord, what has been happening in me? Help me to see you working in my life. With your
love and mercy, help me to see the people, events, thoughts and feelings through which you
speak to me. Help me to see you present and leading my life, through the…

People… Events… Thoughts… Feelings… Others…

4. Contrition and Sorrow

Lord, allow me to see in the circumstances of my life (above) where I failed to see you and
displeased you. I know that you are loving and merciful. My heart feels the sorrow for… (I
am sorry for…)

5. Hopeful Resolution for Future

Lord, I have seen you in the events of my life. I have counted my blessings. I have asked for
your forgiveness for not being able to respond to your love and presence accordingly.

Now, I am ready to face the future, with resolutions and hope that I can be a better person of
love and faith. I want to live in your Spirit, I want to see you at every moment of my daily
life, I want to do your will… I resolve to… (I promise to…)

6. Intentions…
Lord, I would like to pray for…
(People, intentions, situation… people you have promised to pray for…)

7. Church Prayers…
Our Father, Hail Mary… (other devotions)

8. Thanksgiving prayers… (Thank God for the moments when you were able to pray –
reflect…)

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 EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE (Communal)
Source: Catholic Bishops‘ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Formation Module on the Year of the Poor 2015, ―Look at Jesus‖

Leader: All kneel for the Examination of Conscience.

Let us respond after each admission of failure: PATAWAD, PANGINOON, PATAWAD. Response
(R).

For our failure to love God or not putting God first in our lives... (R).
For not being grateful to God for all the gifts he has given us and for our failure to pray... (R).
For being persons of little faith, refusing God‘s call to friendship in our daily lives... (R).
For being too concerned with material possessions, spending our lives caring only for ourselves
and our material security... (R).
For our lack of humility .... (R).
For being slow to apologize to those whom we have wronged, and slow to forgive those who have
wronged us... (R).
For easily judging and criticizing others, harbouring hatred, desiring revenge and having ill
feelings to those who criticize us... (R).
For being apathetic to the needy, the poor and the suffering... (R).
For not being an instrument of unity in our community... (R).
(Anyone is free to voice out their prayers of forgiveness)… (R).

ACT OF CONTRITION

Leader: Now let us express to God and to each other

our sincere sorrow for our sins.

All: My, God, I am heartily sorry for my sins

with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good, I have sinned against
you, whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance,
to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads
me to sin. Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered
and died for us. In his name, my Lord, have
mercy.

Leader: All holy Father,

you have shown us your mercy
and made us a new creation
in the likeness of your son.
Make us living signs of your love
for the whole world to see.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever.

All: Amen

Leader: Glory be...

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus...
Immaculate Heart of Mary...

23
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25
 Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ)
“We are sent by the Church to communicate the love of the Heart of Jesus.
In Him all find their true growth as persons and the way towards reconciliation
with one another. This we believe, this we want to proclaim.”
(RSCJ Constitution # 10)

“I would go to the ends of the earth

to gain one soul for god,
I would stop at nothing...
one soul is worth more than
all our lives.”
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat
rscj Foundress, 1800 france

“We have desired the cross

and not honor, poverty and not ease,
the will of god and not success.”
Saint rose Philippine Duchesne
1st rscj Missionary to the united states

“it is not so much what we say or do

that educates; what really educates
is who we are.”
Sister Janet Erskine Stuart, rscj
5th superior general (1911-1914)

26
 Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ)
philippine district

W
e are an international congregation WHERE WE ARE:
of Catholic women serving in 41
countries around the globe. We Religious of the Sacred Heart
were founded by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat in Madeleine Sophie Center (MSC)
the 1800’s. We celebrate our vocation in a wide 10 F. Manalo St., Cubao
spectrum of ministries and settings. We live 1111 Quezon City
in small communities and share prayer, which Tel. No.: (2)727-1480
supports us and impels us to make choices for
Justice and Peace in response to the Gospel. We Pre-Novitiate
share a spirit with all those who desire to make #53, K-4th Street
known God’s love. It is this spirit that shapes our Kamuning, Quezon City
lives. We acknowledge that the action of the Spirit
goes far beyond what we can see or even know, Religious of the Sacred Heart
and that it continually enriches and challenges us. #1 Kabajar Road, Guadalupe
6000 Cebu City
We strive to make visible the love of God in all Tel. No.: (32) 238-2592
we do through our educative mission in diverse
ministries, and rooted in a life of personal and Religious of the Sacred Heart
community prayer, we work for justice alongside Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative
those on the margins of society. Due to far- Education (SHIFT) Foundation
reaching changes, new challenges continually Sophie’s Farm, Brgy. Doña Lucia
face us and we try to respond with hope, courage, Mondragon, Northern Samar
creativity and faith. Supported by our local, Tel. No.: (0918)918-1253
provincial and international communities, we
work together and with others to try to get to Sacred Heart Community Center
the root of problems, to be with the poor and Brgy. Luna, Ormoc, Leyte
rejected, to be prophetic, to grow together to be Tel. No.: (53) 561-3779
the people God wants us to be.
OUR FOUNDATIONS:
In the PHILIPPINES, we carry out our service
of education in three fields of action: - Sacred Heart Institute for Transformative
Education (SHIFT) Foundation, Inc. -
- Teaching and Formation Northern Samar
- Human development and - St. Madeleine Sophie Foundation, Inc.
the promotion of Justice (SMSF) - Montalban, Rizal
- Pastoral work and guidance in the faith - St. Philippine Duchesne Ormoc Workers
Foundation, Inc. (SPDOWFI) - Ormoc
City
In a spirit of generosity,
we seek to nourish and
nurture life among www.rscjinternational.org
God’s people.
 S a c r e d H e a r t I n s t it u t e
for Tr a n s f o r m a t iv e E d u c a t io n ( S H I F T ) F o u n d a t io n , I nc.

SACRED HEART SPIRITUALITY AND LEADERSHIP

A ministry of the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) Philippine District.