Rola sakramentu pokuty w formacji sumienia

Abstract

Man finds and most profoundly confirms his identity by way of conscience. It is here that man not only discover who he is, but even more whom he should become according to God’s plan. In order for conscience to fulfil its role properly, it must constantly be formed in truth. To be summoned to the formation of conscience becomes now especially current because of the profound crisis of conscience. Now conscience can be falsified in many ways. Especially dangerous seems to be the neglect in the search after the full truth and sin to which one is accustomed, or even the loss of the sense of sin. One of the main reasons for such phenomena is the loss of the supernatural dimension of human life. In the reflection on Christian conscience, one points to many different routes of its formation. The present study pinpoints that the formation of conscience is inseparably linked with the process of constant conversion to truth and good. Ultimately, it is conversion to Christ who is the Truth and teaches us what is good. In the process of conversion, therefore the process of conscience formation, the sacrament of penance plays a special role. The paper describes the acts of the penitent that enable him to take a responsible part in this sacrament. They are as follows: contrition for one’s sins as it stems out of a proper examination of conscience and the resolution to make satisfaction to God, confession of sins and satisfaction. From the perspective of the sacrament of penance, it has been stressed that the formation of Christian conscience should be a turning to the future. This positive program of life stems out of faith in the ultimate victory of love which, while being the gift of God, is greater that any evil of the world.