Jesus breathed on them, and said to [the Apostles], “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:22-23
In Baptism all our sins are wiped away and we become God’s adopted children. In our sins, however, we create a distance in our relationship with God. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also named Confession or Penance), the relationship is restored, and we are brought back close to God.
We receive the grace of contrition and conversion to lead us to seek forgiveness for our sins. Ordained priests have the power to do this, and anything said is under the seal of Confession. This means the priest may never, under any circumstances, reveal anything spoken.
The Sacrament of Penance is celebrated normally on Saturdays from 2:45 – 3:45pm, before the 4pm Vigil Mass, as well as on Tuesdays from 8:30 -9:00am in the Chapel after daily Mass.
You may also schedule an appointment at the office if necessary.
There are four steps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation:
- We feel contrition for our sins and a conversion of heart to change our ways.
- We confess our sins and human sinfulness to a priest.
- We receive and accept forgiveness (absolution) and are absolved of our sins.
- We celebrate God’s everlasting love for us and commit to live out a Christian life.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from sinful patterns of behavior and while strengthening us it calls us to complete conversion in Christ.
First penance is normally prepared for in second grade, through the PREP program.
Forget how to go?
No problem, look here and remember, the priest wants to help you, he is excited to free you from your burden!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWxp5BNgmVY
https://catholicworldmission.org/catholic-guide-to-confession/#dialogue
Examination of conscience help
https://phillyocf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Examination-of-conscience.pdf
Read about it more in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm
“Priests have received a power which God has given neither to angels nor to archangels. They can bind with a bond which pertains to the soul itself and transcends the very heavens.”
John Chrysostom A.D. 387