Encounter With Mercy
This is a book for the Catholic who has been practicing the faith for a lifetime as well as those new to the sacrament or returning to it after a long time away. It is steeped in Scripture with quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as passages from Apostolic Letters and Encyclicals written by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Both of these popes strongly encouraged a return to this sacrament of God's mercy.
The book also includes a chapter called Catholicism 101 which gives some basic Catholic Faith formulas every Catholic can use and should know like the 10 Commandments, the 7gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Theological and Cardinal virtues, just to name a few. One of my personal favorites in this chapter is the Gospel on 5 Fingers from Mother Teresa: Hold up one hand and count one word per finger: "I did it to Him."
Also included in the book is an examination of conscience, an Act of Contrition and the basic formula for how to make a confession for those new or returning to the sacrament.
In many places, the lines for confession have dwindled while the line for Holy Communion continues to be very long . This is not a judgement on my part but the observation of two popes as well as many local clergy. This little book gives the Scriptural basis as well as the Magesterial teaching on why we should never receive Communion in a state of mortal sin.
Justin Cardinal Rigali says in his Foreward: "The sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation is one of the greatest gifts which the Lord Jesus gave to His Church." It truly is a grace filled gift. Ever watch people coming out of the confessional; there is always a smile on their face.
Encounter With Mercy is easy to read and is for everyone no matter how often they receive this awesome sacrament.
So read this little gem of a book and then spend a few minutes in a Saturday afternoon receiving an abundance of grace.
Note: Nothing but a copy of this book was exchanged for this review.
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