Lord, You Know That I Love You A Communal Penance Service for Lent 2018 Diocese of Madison This year s Diocesan Penance Service material is based upon a penitential service found in appendix II of the Rite of Penance (III.I Sin and Conversion). GENERAL INFORMATION The Rite of Penance is available separately or as part II of The Rites of the Catholic Church. A study edition, which includes the texts of all of the options for prayers and readings, is available from the USCCB. The outline below is for a Lenten Penance Service. See appendix II of the Rite of Penance or the study edition for suggestions and examples of other services, including services for children, young people, and the sick. If you adapt this service for your parish, be sure that the major elements are retained. Every penance service should include: Scripture readings (one Old Testament and / or one New Testament reading, a Psalm, and Gospel) Examination of Conscience Act of contrition and general confession of sins Individual confessions and individual absolution Proclamation of praise for God s mercy As a reminder, it is not permissible to use Form III at these liturgies. Contact the Office of Worship at (608) 821-3080 for assistance or more information. MUSICAL SUGGESTIONS The music provided in the leaflet is intended to assist in the celebration of Lenten Penance services. It is familiar to most Catholics. Other music may be selected that is familiar to the parish. Contact the Office of Worship if you would like assistance. OPENING HYMN Lord, who throughout these forty days is printed in the leaflet and is in most standard hymnals. It is in the public domain and needs no copyright acknowledgment. Other appropriate songs and hymns may be used, such as I heard the voice of Jesus say Forgive our sins What wondrous love is this Amazing grace Parce Domine Love divine, all loves excelling The glory of these forty days The Master came to bring Good News Seek the Lord Most hymnals have a Penance or Reconciliation section noted in the table of contents or index.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Any familiar setting of Psalm 51 (or another appropriate penitential Psalm) may be used. The suggested Responsorial Psalm is the appointed Psalm for Ash Wednesday as well as the First Sunday of Lent (cycle B). It also is found in the Psalter section of most hymnals. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION It is best to use the acclamation used most regularly during Lent in your parish. PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE There s a wideness in God s mercy works well for this and is in most standard hymnals. Any other hymn or psalm that praises God for his mercy and forgiveness is also appropriate. The Rite of Penance also includes a number of spoken options. Contact the Office of Worship if you need assistance. MUSIC DURING CONFESSIONS Instrumental music is always appropriate and helpful as people are going to individual confession. ELECTRONIC FILES If you would like an electronic copy of the Presider Book, Examination of Conscience, or the People s Leaflet, please visit the diocesan web page (http://www.madisondiocese.org/penance). If you want to customize our material for your parish, please call or email the Office of Worship. EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE You may use the one provided or one of your choosing. Additional Examinations are available on our diocesan website (http://www.madisondiocese.org/penance). ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Visit our website at www.madisondiocese.org/penance. 2
Introductory Rites HYMN OR SONG (All stand) GREETING In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. And with your spirit. See The Rite of Penance, nos. 49 and 94-96 for alternative greetings. INTRODUCTION The priest offers an introduction and may use these words. Dear friends, after St. Peter denied Jesus three times, the Lord looked upon him and still loved him. As we pray tonight, let us look deep into our hearts with humility, asking the Lord to show us all that keeps us from proclaiming Jesus name in our words and actions. Pause for silent prayer 3
OPENING PRAYER Source: Rite of Penance, appendix II, no. 25. Lord Jesus, you turned and looked on Peter when he denied you for the third time. He wept for his sin and turned again to you in sincere repentance. Look now on us and touch our hearts, so that we may always turn back to you, and be always faithful in serving you, for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. For other forms of the Opening Prayer, see The Rite of Penance, nos.50, and 97-100. 4
Celebration of the Word of God See The Rite of Penance, nos. 101-201 for other texts. See pages 11-12 of this presider book for the Scripture readings. READING (All sit) 2 Samuel 12:1-9, 13 David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. Nathan answered David, The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die. PSALM Psalm 51 Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. The suggested Responsorial Psalm is the appointed Psalm for Ash Wednesday. It also is found in the Psalter section of most hymnals. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (All stand) GOSPEL John 21:15-19 Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. HOMILY (All sit) EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE See the attached handout or The Rite of Penance, appendix III. 5
Rite of Reconciliation GENERAL CONFESSION OF SINS (All stand) (For additional texts, see The Rite of Penance nos. 54 and 202-205.) Brothers and sisters, let us call to mind the goodness of God our Father, and acknowledge our sins, so that we may receive his merciful forgiveness. [All kneel.] I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, And, striking their breast, continue: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. [All stand for the litany.] 6
God gives us an example of love: when we were sinners he first loved us and took pity on us. Let us turn to him with a sincere heart, and in the words of St. Peter say to him: The litany may be led by the priest, deacon, cantor, or lector. Reader: Lord, like Peter we have relied on our own strength rather than on grace. Look on us, Lord, and have mercy. Our pride and foolishness have led us into temptation. Look on us, Lord, and have mercy. We have been vain and self-important. Look on us, Lord, and have mercy. We have at times been pleased rather than saddened by the misfortunes of others. Look on us, Lord, and have mercy. We have shown indifference for those in need instead of helping them. Look on us, Lord, and have mercy. We have been afraid to stand up for justice and truth. Look on us, Lord, and have mercy. We have repeatedly broken the promises of our baptism and failed to be your disciples. Look on us, Lord, and have mercy. Source: Rite of Penance, appendix II, no. 29. Let us now pray to the Father in the words Christ gave us and ask forgiveness for our sins: Our Father... 7
Lord Jesus, our Savior, you called Peter to be an apostle; when he repented of his sin you restored him to your friendship and confirmed him as first of the apostles. Turn to us with love and help us to imitate Peter s example. Give us strength to turn from our sins and to serve you in the future with greater love and devotion, for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. Source: Rite of Penance, appendix II, no. 30 INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION The presider or another minister announces the stations for confession. Please encourage those assembled to remain until the end of the penance service. You may use these or similar words: Please remain with the community of penitents after going to confession. Pray for your brothers and sisters who are present, and those who could not be with us. After we have all confessed and received absolution for our sins, we will celebrate the forgiveness of our merciful God. Individual priests assign a penance to the penitent. 8
PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE FOR GOD S MERCY (All stand) Brothers and sisters, The Lord has remembered his mercy. [Let us praise God in song.] If a psalm, canticle, or song is not sung, a psalm may be recited. See The Rite of Penance no. 206 for additional texts. CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Source: Rite of Penance, no. 211 For additional texts, see The Rite of Penance nos. 57 and 207-211. Lord Jesus Christ, your loving forgiveness knows no limits. You took our human nature to give us an example of humility and to make us faithful in every trial. May we never lose the gifts you have given us, but if we fall into sin lift us up by your gift of repentance, for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. 9
Concluding Rite BLESSING & DISMISSAL May the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen. Go in peace. Thanks be to God. A closing hymn is not necessary, but may be sung. Excerpts from the English translation of the Rite of Penance copyright 1974 International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Excerpts from the Roman Missal are copyright International Commission on English in the Liturgy. 10
First Reading 2 Samuel 12:1-9, 13 A reading from the Second Book of Samuel. The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan said: Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers. But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him. Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man s ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor. David grew very angry with that man and said to him: As the LORD lives, the man who has done this merits death! He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity. Then Nathan said to David: You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel. I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your lord s house and your lord s wives for your own. I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more. Why have you despised the LORD and done what is evil in his sight? You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword; his wife you took as your own, and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites. Then David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. Nathan answered David: For his part, the LORD has removed your sin. You shall not die. The word of the Lord. 11
Gospel John 21:15-19 A reading from the holy Gospel according to John. After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Simon Peter answered him, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my lambs. He then said to Simon Peter a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Simon Peter answered him, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. He said to him, Tend my sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, Do you love me? and he said to him, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, Follow me. The Gospel of the Lord. Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. 12