A Sacrament of Healing
Christ instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we might renew and restore our Baptismal grace and the Life of Christ within us. In the Sacrament of Penance, also called Reconciliation or confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in Him. The Church sees confession as so important that she requires every Catholic go at least once a year.
The Church also encourages frequent confession in order to grow closer to Christ Jesus and his Body, the Church. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we seek forgiveness and repentance, let go of patterns of sin, grow in the life of virtue, and witness to a joyful conversion.
Confessions are heard Saturday, 8:30AM to 9:30AM in Church. Additionally the Holy Hour evenings on Tuesdays at 7:00PM also provide opportunity for individual confessions. Please see our Holy Hour web page for dates.
“Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment.” Acts 3:19-20a
The means by which God forgives sins after Baptism is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Minor, also called venial sins can be confessed directly to God, but for grave or mortal sins, which crush the spiritual life out of the soul, God has instituted a different means for obtaining forgiveness: the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There are four steps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and understanding the steps makes it easier to go to confession so we can grow in grace.
Contrition
Contrition is a response to a God who loves us; a desire to reconcile our relationship. In being sorry for sins, we have a firm intention to make amends and, with God’s grace, to avoid these sins in the future. We feel contrition for our sins and a conversion of heart to change our ways. Sin hurts our relationship with God, ourselves and others. As the Catechism states:
The sinner wounds God’s honor and love, his own human dignity… and the spiritual well-being of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone. To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin and nothing has worse consequences for the sinners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world. (CCC 1487, 1488)
Confession
We confess our sins and human sinfulness to a priest. We verbally confess our sins to the priest, so that he may give us appropriate spiritual counsel and advice. Confess all your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are finished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
“‘Peace be with you!’ With these words, the Risen Lord greeted his frightened Apostles in the Upper Room on the day of his Resurrection. They were troubled, anxious, and fearful—much like each one of us at some point in our lives. Christ repeated the words, ‘Peace be with you.’ But then he added, ‘Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them’ (Jn 20:19-23).”
Absolution
The priest will extend his hands over your head and pronounce the words of absolution. You respond, “Amen.” We receive and accept forgiveness (absolution) and are absolved of our sins. God’s blessing is granted to us for the forgiveness of sin and the restoration of baptismal grace.
“If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” 1 John 1:9
Penance
The priest will propose an act of penance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy, or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life by turning away from sin and to follow Jesus more closely. We celebrate God’s everlasting love for us and commit to living out a Christian life. The act of penance is the exterior sign of interior conversion.
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” (Philippians 4:13)
“For where there is division and wrath, God does not dwell. To all them that repent, the Lord grants forgiveness, if they turn in penitence to the unity of God, and to communion with the bishop.” Saint Ignatius of Antioch
“Come back to the source of Grace. Christ is waiting for you! (Saint Pope John Paul II)
Practical suggestions and tip on “making a good confession” from Father Mike Schmitz.
The Spiritual Effects of the Sacrament of Penance are:
Reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace and reconciliation with the Church.
Remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins and the remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin.
Peace and serenity of conscience, spiritual consolation and an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.
“To prevent a sheep from seeking assistance by her cries, the wolf seizes her by the neck, and thus securely carries her away and devours her. The Devil acts in a similar manner with the sheep of Jesus Christ. After having induced them to yield to sin, he seizes them by the throat, that they may not confess their guilt; and thus he securely brings them to Hell. For those who have sinned grievously, there is no means of salvation but the confession of their sins.” (Saint Alphonsus Liguori)
This thirty-minute video is a powerful witness to the healing power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is also a beautiful reminder of how to pray, just “keep it simple”. Additionally, if you are interested in participating in the Men’s or Women’s CRHP here at St. Mary of Gostyn, please see the Ministries page.
Additional Resources for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
A mature understanding of sin includes reflecting upon our thoughts, actions, and omissions as well as examining the patterns of sin that may arise in our lives. With contrite hearts, we are also called to reflect upon the effects of our sins upon the wider community and how we might participate in sinful systems. Here are a few useful tools.
- Examination of conscience. There are many versions of the examination of conscience; find one that works for you being sure it is rooted in Scripture.
- Act of Contrition Prayer
- Litany of Humility
- The Daily Examen by Saint Ignatius of Loyola
