Reconciliation— The Sacrament of Penance

Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing. It is an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy. 

Not only does Reconciliation free us from our sins, but it also challenges us to have compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. 

It’s not uncommon to be intimidated by confession, but many experiences that may initially seem scary or (off-putting?)  have the potential to be life-changing. Admitting your faults out loud can be liberating and humbling yourself enough to confess to a priest, rather than privately to God, can help to diminish the pride that often causes us to sin in the first place.

Maybe confession is just what you need for restoration or a spiritual breakthrough. 

How to go to Confession

A healing confession starts with reflection. Take some quiet time to connect deeply with your conscience. You don’t need to name every sin you’ve committed but an honest and prayerful appraisal of your life will bring your foremost stumbling blocks to light. Some of the most healing confessions involve honest expressions of fears and challenges. Remember that no sin is too shocking to be absolved. You will want to honestly and openly divulge even mortal sins. The priest has heard it all and your confession is no worse than another’s.

After your discussion with the priest, he will assign you a penance to be completed when you leave the confessional. The penance, taking into account your personal situation, supports your spiritual good. It may be a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service, or a sacrifice. Acceptance of the act of penance gives thanks to God for the pardon received and is a sign of the renewal of grace in the soul.

Finally, once you have said an act of contrition, like the one below, the priest will grant you absolution. Don’t worry, there is no need to memorize the Act of Contrition. A copy will be present in the confessional if you need it.