Confession/Reconciliation​

 

The sacrament by which a penitent expressing true contrition, confession, and willingness to make satisfaction through the absolution of a priest reconciles the faithful penitent to God and thereby remits all of his sins.

 

Catholics in informal conversation nearly always refer to it as Confession. Pope John Paul II called it the Sacrament of Penance because its deepest purpose is penance. CCC 1430, 1431 Penance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a conversion to God with all our heart. Some Catholics call it the Sacrament of Reconciliation because through it we become reconciled with God.

 

The matter of this sacrament is the penitent’s contrition, confession, and willingness to make satisfaction.

 

The form of this sacrament is the priest’s prayer of absolution: “God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Penance is a sacrament of the dead, because it confers sanctifying grace even when we are in a state of mortal sin.

 

Penance is one of the two sacraments of healing. The other is the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Dying.

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Returning to communion with God after having lost it through sin a  process born of the grace of God and solicitous for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others. Reconciliation is a Sacrament. In this sacrament, Jesus forgives our sins as soon as we are sorry.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

Confessions are regularly scheduled on Saturdays at 4 PM - 4:45 PM & First Fridays from 7:30 AM - 8 AM.

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Communal Penance Services are celebrated during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

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For Catholics, here are some reminders about celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

 

How do we examine our conscience?

We ask ourselves some questions, for example:

• Have I kept God in mind and prayed to Him often?

• Have I failed to confess any serious sin?

• Have I missed Mass on Sundays without a good reason?

• Do I keep the precepts of the Church?

• Have I used the name of God without respect?

• Do I keep God a part of my daily life?

• Have I obeyed my parents and guardians?

• Are there bad things I need to change my life?

• Have I fought with my brothers, sisters, and others?

• Have I knowingly hurt someone?

• Have I tried to help others who asked for help?

• Have I chosen to do wrong?

• Have I shared with my brothers, sisters, and others?

• Am I kind and understanding?

• Have I lied to anyone?

• Am I truly sorry for hurting others?

• Have I taken anything that did not belong to me?

• Do I respect someone else’s property?

• Have I tried to help people who do not have as much as I do?

• Do I joyfully help others?

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For more information about confession, Please contact the Parish Office.