Reconciliation Bibliography
In this and other NDCL bibliographies, materials have been selected primarily with parish ministers (rather than professional scholars) in mind. Most of the resources are in English and were published in North America.
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Print Resources | Video Resources
- Aridas, Chris. Reconciliation: Celebrating God's Healing Forgiveness. (Garden City, NJ: Image Books, 1987). An easy-to-read presentation of the historical, theological and pastoral dimensions of the sacrament of reconciliation. AMAZON
- Arnold, John. The Quality of Mercy: A Fresh Look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Middlegreen, Slough, UK: St. Pauls, 1993). Offers a guide and some questions for personal (private) celebration of the sacrament.
- Barbernitz, Patricia. Parish Ministry for Returning Catholics. (New York: Paulist Press, 1993). Practical suggestions for re-educating returning Catholics in the faith. AMAZON
- Bowman, Peg. At Home with the Sacraments: Reconciliation. (Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1991). Aids parents in addressing personal feelings of anxiety, fear, and confusion concerning the preparation of their children for the sacrament of reconciliation. AMAZON
- Bradshaw, Paul F., ed. "A Worshipping Church, Penitent and Reconciling," Studia Liturgica 18:1 (1988), 2-116. Nine addresses originally presented at the 11th Congress, Societas Liturgica, convened in Brixen, in North Italy, August 17-22, 1987.
- Brennan, Patrick J. Penance and Reconciliation. (Chicago: Thomas More Press, 1986). AMAZON
- _____. The Reconciling Parish: A Process for Returning or Alienated Catholics. (Allen, TX: Tabor Publishing, 1990). "A blending of RCIA and ancient Order of Penitents into a remember, return and rebirth process that gives greater care and ministry to the hurt or alienated members of the Church."
- Buckley, F. "Sin, Penance, and Reconciliation in the Postconciliar Church," in Pierre Hegy, ed., The Church in the Nineties: Its Legacy, Its Future. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1993). AMAZON
- Collins, Mary and Power, David, eds. The Fate of Confession. (= Concilium Series, no. 190. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1987). Probes many facets of the Christian tradition in order to understand the human dynamics (adult and child) and religious significance of any liturgical confession of sin.AMAZON
- Cooke, Bernard J. Reconciled Sinners: Healing Human Brokenness. (Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1986). AMAZON
- Dallen, James. The Reconciling Community: The Rite of Penance. (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1986). Studies the underlying mystery of the church in relation to Christ and the sinner through the forms this sacrament has taken in the past; illustrates how the church can exercise the ministry of reconciliation both now and in the future. AMAZON
- Dallen, James and Favazza, Joseph. Removing the Barriers: The Practice of Reconciliation. (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1991). Looks beyond the historical data to the pastoral issues and dilemmas that brought aboutand continue to bring aboutchanges in the way the church reconciles. The authors call for an expansion of ideas of sacrament and the church's mission in light of Christian initiation. AMAZON
- Favazza, Joseph A. The Order of Penitents: Historical Roots and Pastoral Future. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1988). A scholarly study of the Order of Penitents, along with an assessment of history's implications for present pastoral practice. AMAZON
- Fernandez, Domiciano. The Father's Forgiveness: Rethinking the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991). Argues that the third form of the rite of reconciliation (with general absolution) should be considered an ordinary way of celebrating the sacrament, as is the first form (individual confession with absolution). AMAZON
- Fink, Peter E., ed. Alternative Futures for Worship: Reconciliation. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1987). Addresses some psychological, theological, and historical dimensions of reconciliation, as well as the issue of the reconciliation of groups. AMAZON
- Foley, Edward, ed. Developmental Disabilities and Sacramental Access. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1994). The authors of this collection of articles demonstrate how people with developmental disabilities need to be embraced by the church and its sacraments, for they teach us something central about sacramental encounters. AMAZON
- Gaffney, James. Sin Reconsidered. (New York: Paulist Press, 1983). Summary and critique of theological understandings of sin. AMAZON
- Gula, Richard M. To Walk Together Again: The Sacrament of Reconciliation. (New York: Paulist Press, 1984). "Beginning with the idea of community and hospitality, Gula provides a refreshing look at the nature of grace, the function of the sacraments, sin in its modern perspectives, the history of Christian reconciliation, and a practical evaluation of the new Christian ritual." AMAZON
- Guzie, Tad W. The Forgiveness of Sin. (Chicago: Thomas More Press, 1979). Weaves a "personal journey"and experiences of the celebration of the sacramenttogether with historical and theological themes. AMAZON
- Harmony, Sarah. Re-membering: The Ministry of Welcoming Alienated and Inactive Catholics. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991. A concise summary of a process that honors conversion and respects the reconciling ministry of the entire Christian community. AMAZON
- Henchal, Michael J. Repentance and Reconciliation in the Church. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1987). Presents the major addresses given at the 1986 national meeting of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. Deals with broader issues of reconcilation: alienation, hurts and divisions in life and in the world, as well as elements and stages in the process of reconciliation. AMAZON
- Hughes, Kathleen and Joseph Favazza, eds. A RECONCILIATION SOURCEBOOK (Chicago: LTP, 1997). AMAZON
- Jones, L. Gregory. Embodying Forgiveness: a Theological Analysis. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995). AMAZON
- Kennedy, Robert J., ed. Reconciliation: The Continuing Agenda. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1987. Twenty-two essays based on presentationgs given at the June, 1986, Notre Dame Center for Pastoral Liturgy's Conference. The essays address theological, historical, and pastoral areas of reconciliation, providing fresh insights into familiar material. AMAZON
- Kennedy Robert, ed. Reconciling Embrace: Foundations for the Future of Sacramental Reconciliation (Chicago: LTP, 1998). AMAZON
- Lopresti, James. Penance: A Reform Proposal for the Rite. (Washington, DC: The Pastoral Press, 1987). Presents a new ritual model based on concepts of RCIA, rooted in the church's tradition and in contemporary experience. AMAZON
- Maloney, George A. Your Sins are Forgiven You: Rediscovering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (New York: Alba House, 1994). AMAZON
- Mick, Lawrence E. Penance: The Once and Future Sacrament. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1987). A popular treatment of the sacrament of reconciliation, with discussion/reflection questions helpful for classroom and group settings. 1987. AMAZON
- Mitchell, Nathan, ed. The Rite of Penance: Commentaries. Volume 3: Background and Directions. (Washington, DC: The Liturgical Conference, 1978). A series of essays on the history and theology of sacramental penance in the church. Includes two important essays by Godfrey Diekmann: "Reconciliation Through the Prayer of the Community" (pp. 38-49), and "The New Rite of Penance: A Theological Evaluation," (pp. 82-91).
- Orsy, Ladislas M. The Evolving Church and the Sacrament of Penance. (Danville, NJ: Dimension Books, 1978). Examines the mutual relationship of the evolving church and reconciliation and suggests tasks for its continuation. AMAZON
- Osborne, Kenan. Reconciliation and Justification: The Sacrament and Its Theology. (New York: Paulist Press, 1990). A detailed and readable summary of the history of the sacrament with special emphasis on Jesus as sacrament of reconciliation. Also discusses unresolved issues in postconciliar Catholic theology. AMAZON
- Schreiter, Robert J. Reconciliation: Mission and Ministry in a Changing Social Order. (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1992). A rich and provocative exploration of the social justice dimensions of reconciliation. AMAZON
- Searle, Mark. The Church Speaks About Sacraments with Children: Baptism, Confirmation and Penance. (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1990). A collection of pertinent church documents concerning the initiatory pattern for infants and young children. AMAZON
- Talley, Thomas J. Worship: Reforming Tradition. (Washington, DC: The Pastoral Press, 1990). Chapter 4"Healing, Sacrament or Charism"uses history, dogma and psychology to ask how "the outrage of disorder is subsumed to . . . the salvation of the cross." Chapter 5"The History of Reconciliation"emphasizes both the paschal and ecclesial dimensions of reconciliation. AMAZON
- United States Catholic Conference. Reflections on the Sacrament of Penance in Catholic Life Today. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1990).
Video Resources | Print Resources
- Christian Morality and Forgiveness. (Cincinnati: Franciscan Communications, 1989). DeSales Catholic Adult Education Series. Presents the principles of modern Catholic morality. The tradition of sacramental forgiveness is also considered from historical and contemporary perspectives. Consists of eght 30-minute segments.
- Focus on the Sacraments. "Reconciliation: Penance and Anointing of the Sick." (Dubuque, IA: Brown-ROA). Part five of a six-session lecture course geared to catechists. Three segments deal with reconciliation.
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Past and Present. (Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications,1991). Dr. Kathleen Chesto covers the history, ritual and theology of the sacrament of reconciliation. Length: 39 minutes.
- Sacraments: Signs of Faith and Grace. (CTNA: 1993). Part seven of an eight-segment video series about the sacraments: "Reconciliation and the Return to Eucharist."
- What Catholics Believe about Reconciliation. (St. Louis: Ligouri, 1994). A fast-paced, thirty-minute, interactive introduction to reconciliation. It begins by posing questions often asked by "people in the pew," who offer unrehearsed opinions and answers. A concise catechesis of the sacrament concludes the program.
