Sacramental Consultation

Finding a New Orientation

There are moments in life when we need to find a new direction. Old ways of thinking and coping no longer serve us, and we must let go of what is familiar to make space for the future. These moments can be painful and may bring crisis, yet in hindsight, we often sense that our true self was drawing closer.

The Sacramental Consultation offers support in this process, without imposing external answers. After a conversation or a series of conversations, we receive a verse that points us toward the love at the heart of the universe—giving us the strength to move forward.

Illness or Personal Guilt?

If someone is bedridden with the flu, we do not judge them as weak or morally failing. Illness comes on its own, yet we take responsibility for our healing.

In the New Testament, the Greek word hamartia, often translated as ‘sin,’ originally meant ‘to miss the mark.’ We may miss our purpose due to weakness, illness, or simply because we are human. In The Act of Consecration of Man, this fundamental condition is called the ‘sickness of sin.’

It manifests physically in hunger, thirst, and fatigue—reminders that we are not always in balance. It also appears in the soul, when we misunderstand each other, act out of laziness, anger, pride, or even self-contempt. Here, suffering extends beyond ourselves to others, and we begin to bear responsibility for healing.

Destiny and Freedom

If life were predetermined, responsibility would be meaningless. Yet we also experience events beyond our control. Still, in any situation, we have choices—even if only in how we respond. These choices shape our path. Over time, we may recognize that even what seems to ‘happen to us’ is connected to the way we meet life.

Looking back on our experiences can help us find freedom in the present. In doing so, we become active participants in shaping the world around us.

A New Understanding of Confession

The word ‘confession’ carries burdensome connotations, yet its original meaning is simply to acknowledge or affirm. True affirmation of where we stand in life means letting go of rigid thought patterns that keep us from seeing reality clearly.

This process is linked to metanoia, the call of John the Baptist. Often translated as ‘repentance,’ it actually refers to a transformation of heart and mind—an expansion of awareness that is not crushing, but liberating.

We have all had moments of sudden clarity, sometimes bittersweet, when we recognize what we wish we had done differently. Alongside regret, there is understanding—an impulse to learn and grow. The priest’s questions, or even the silences within the conversation, help us find this perspective. In this way, we develop a freer, more creative relationship with our destiny, strengthening both our ability to act and the well-being of our soul.eing Loved and Learning to Love

To accept ourselves and our path is not about denying difficulties or sugar-coating the truth. It means seeing things as they are, even where we did not expect to find good.

No one else can do this for us, but in conversation, we can practice looking for the hidden good. Through Sacramental Consultation, our memories can become a gateway to our inner being—where we find Christ, who does not judge, but accepts us completely.

This experience of being accepted allows us to extend the same acceptance to others—even those we struggle with. To love another does not mean to like them, but to see them clearly, recognizing the deeper essence within them that is worthy of love.

The Form of the Sacrament

A Sacramental Consultation consists of a conversation with a priest, concluding with a brief ritual verse. The priest may wear vestments during both parts. There is no fixed structure for the conversation, and silence can be just as meaningful as words.

Many seek a consultation in times of difficulty—when facing a decision, grief, or uncertainty. However, this sacrament is not only for crises; it can become a regular part of spiritual life, offering clarity and a deeper connection to oneself. Everything shared is treated with the strictest confidentiality.

The great work of letting go and opening to what the divine world offers is complemented by the Offering and Communion in the Act of Consecration of Man. In this way, the Sacramental Consultation can be a meaningful preparation for receiving communion.ersonal Questions and Community Life

When the Sacramental Consultation flows into the Act of Consecration of Man, personal concerns become part of something greater. Just as Christ takes bread and wine into Himself and says, This is my body, this is my blood, we can imagine Him taking up what we carry into the service.

In this way, our struggles—transformed at the altar—are returned to us as a source of healing. The Sacramental Consultation is not only a support for the individual but a gift to the whole community.

For More Information

To arrange a meeting with a priest, please contact your local congregation.