CONFESSION

DEFINITION & MEANING

This sacrament is rooted in the mission God gave to Christ in his capacity as the Son of Man on earth to go and forgive sins. After his resurrection, Jesus passed on his mission to forgive sins to his Apostles, telling them in John 20:21-23: “[Jesus] said to them again,“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Those who approach the sacrament of Reconciliation obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.

How To Go To Confession

The priest greets you.
You say: “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.” You then say how long it has been since your last Confession.
You tell the priest your sins and answer any questions.
The priest will give you some advice and will assign you a penance.
You will next pray the Act of Contrition (see below).
The priest then gives absolution.
You respond: “His mercy endures forever.” The priest will then dismiss you.

Act of Contrition

Praying the Act of Contrition is an essential part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The prayer expresses one’s heartfelt sorrow for sin, and states the commitment, with the help of God’s grace, to live a better life. Each Catholic should know an Act of Contrition by memory. Three are listed below:

1. O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. But most of all, because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen
2. My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. I detest all my sins because of your just punishment, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen
3. My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

Reconciliation Schedule

The opportunities for reconciliation (confession) are:
Saturday 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Read God’s Gift of Forgiveness: A Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

Click here to read the full article!

Other Sacraments

BAPTISM

CONFIRMATION

THE EUCHARIST

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

HOLY ORDERS

MATRIMONY