What does readmission to the Catholic Church (reconciliation) mean?
On April 25, 2026, I was readmitted to full communion with the Catholic Church (reconciliation).
In this article, I first explain what this readmission (reconciliation) means and when it takes place. Then I show how my personal celebration unfolded, who was there, and what we prayed and experienced together.
If someone has left the Catholic Church and wants to return, they submit an application at the parish office together with the priest. A document is filled out and forwarded to the bishop, who grants the readmission.
What matters most is the conversation about the reasons for leaving the Church and the reasons for returning. Personal life circumstances are also discussed, for example previous marriages.
After that, a date is set. This readmission can take place simply at the parish office or – as in my case – as a more solemn celebration in the church.
A witness is also required. This person does not have to be Catholic. What matters is that they can confirm that you truly want to take this step. The witness also signs the official document.
The celebration
It was planned that we would gather in the sanctuary. In reality, we sat in the first three pews, while the priest stood in the sanctuary and the musicians were positioned to the side.
At the beginning, we sang the song “Where two or three are gathered in my name”, first together and then as a canon.
After the liturgical opening and a short introduction, I recited the Creed.
Then followed my readmission to full communion with the Catholic Church and the lifting of the canonical consequences.
After that, we sang the Taizé song “Come Back to Me”.
Then I went with the priest to the sacristy for confession and absolution. During this time, Sylvia played instrumental music on the keyboard.
Immediately after the confession, the document of readmission was signed – by me, by my witness Belinda, by the sacristan Eva, and by the priest.
After that, we sang “Lord, you are my life”.
Then there was another prayer.
Afterwards, the Monstrance was shown – for those who may not know it: it is a vessel in which the consecrated host is displayed visibly in order to venerate the presence of Christ.
After that, we sang “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”, which includes the words “Holy, holy, holy”.
Prayer of gratitude
I wrote this prayer myself and recited it during the celebration.
Dear God,
Thank you, God of community, for bringing us together today. For where two or three are gathered in your name, you are among them.
Thank you, God of support and truth, for all the people who support me in returning to you. For only with you is truth, and only through Jesus are we saved.
Thank you, God of forgiveness, for receiving me back into your Church. Thank you that I can be with you again, even after being away for a long time. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for still loving me.
Thank you, God of community, that I can experience fellowship in faith again. Thank you for placing so many wonderful people at my side who helped me become part of the Church again. Thank you that many of them could be here today.
Thank you, God of friendship, for Belinda, who has been a dear friend to me for years and who, simply by loving you, is a role model for me. Thank you that she has reminded me of you again and again and supports me today as my witness.
Thank you, God of invitation, for Andrea, who invited me to the Bible study and to the free evangelical church and who took me with her for weeks when I had no transportation, so that I could experience fellowship in faith.
Thank you, God of insight and wisdom, for Armin from the Bible study in Rott, with whom I have come to understand the Bible better, with whom I experience fellowship in faith every week and have gained many valuable insights, and through whom I have been actively reminded of the power of free prayer.
Thank you, God of understanding and helpfulness, for Sylvia and Siglinde from the Bible study in Schongau, who not only helped me understand the Bible better and spend the evenings in your spirit, but who even picked me up when I had no transportation so that I could attend.
Thank you, God of remembrance and connection, for the women’s group of the FEG Schongau and for Ulrike, who organizes the group. Thank you for reminding me through her that I have been connected with you all my life.
Thank you, God of music and prayer, for the musical support by Eva and Marcus, by Sylvia and Ingrid, and all who are here today singing and praying.
Thank you, God of the Church and pastoral care, that my priest accompanied me on this important step back to you and made this ecumenical celebration possible.
Thank you, God of conversations and love, also for all the people who could not be here today but have accompanied me on my journey.
Thank you, God Yahweh, “I am there”, that you have always been there, even in the time when I was far away. Thank you that you never forgot me and that I am allowed to come home today.
Amen.
Intercessions
Belinda and I formulated these intercessions together and presented them alternately.
🌻 God who brings peace,
give your peace to all people who are restless within and struggling with themselves. Strengthen them through your deep stillness so that they may find rest.
✨️ Ever-present God,
give patience and confidence to all people who are plagued by doubt and searching for a way to you. Let them feel your presence and faith in you.
🌞 Kind God,
give your bright light to all people who are in darkness and have lost their way. Illuminate their hearts, guide and lead them on the path of life.
🕯 Blessing God,
give all people who are wounded or suffering in their souls understanding and loving people at their side. Heal their deep wounds, comfort them and give them the strength to find new courage for life.
At the end, Belinda also spoke a personal intercession for me.
Closing of the celebration
Together we prayed the Lord’s Prayer.
Then we sang “By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered”.
At the end, there was the blessing and the song “Blessed are you, Mary”.
Afterwards, the gifts that Belinda had brought were blessed.
Then we went together to a restaurant and, in the beer garden, we prayed, talked, and ate together. I also received very lovely gifts.
At the very end, I went with Olaf to a chapel where we prayed together.
Final thought
If you have left the Church, you might ask yourself what you once had and what you might be missing today. Perhaps it is worth giving the Church a second chance.
It is something special to be part of a community, to pray and sing together, to receive blessings and the sacraments. That is why it can truly be worth thinking about returning. And if you have never been baptized, it might also be a beautiful step to consider.
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