Understanding and Practice of The Sacrament of Reconciliation among The Faithful: A Case Study at Doan Arung Station, Saint Theresia of Lisieux Parish, Saripoi

Abstract

The Sacrament of Reconciliation serves as a means through which the faithful are reconciled with God and the Church; however, the congregation of Doan Arung Station, Saint Theresia of Lisieux Parish, Saripoi, has not received this sacrament since 2012. This study aimed to describe the understanding and practice of the Doan Arung congregation regarding the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to identify the factors influencing them. A descriptive phenomenological qualitative approach was employed, involving ten purposively selected informants: the parish priest, station leader, literate congregants, youth, and congregants with limited literacy. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis, and were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. The findings revealed four main themes: (1) a declining understanding of the sacrament that had not been reinforced since the 2012 catechetical instruction; (2) Father Danang’s ministry in 2012 as the primary sacramental experience remembered by senior congregants; (3) multiple barriers, including geographical distance and damaged roads, limited church facilities, restricted priest visitation schedules, literacy limitations, and reluctance within a small and closely connected community; and (4) a consistent desire among all informant groups for the restoration of this sacramental service. The study recommends implementing a more structured pastoral schedule, strengthening the role of lay catechists, and adopting oral catechetical approaches for congregants with limited literacy in remote mission stations.