The Sacrament of Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Penance and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is one of the least understood, and least utilized, sacraments in the Catholic Church. In reconciling us to God, it is a great source of grace, and Catholics are encouraged to take advantage of it often, even if they are not aware of having committed a mortal sin. Confession is the telling of our sins to a duly authorized priest, for the purpose of obtaining forgiveness. Christ has fully satisfied for our sins and after our baptism we were free from all guilt and had no satisfaction to make. But when we willfully sinned after baptism, it is but just that we should be obliged to make some satisfaction. Given that sin destroys our relationship with God and undermines our relationship with each other, reconciliation designates that precise effect of Christ’s redemption of the human race and restores our relationship with God and humans.
Christ breaks down the barriers that sin raises between us and God, and within the human family. Our conversion from sin and reception of divine mercy are continually renewed by confession. Serious sin separates us from the body of the church, and sacramental penance reconciles us with God and the community of His people.
21 “Peace be with you,” Jesus said to them again. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)
“In the life of the body a man is sometimes sick, and unless he takes medicine, he will die. Even so in the spiritual life a man is sick on account of sin. For that reason he needs medicine so that he may be restored to health; and this grace is bestowed in the Sacrament of Penance.” — Saint Thomas Aquinas
“Sin is not the worst thing in the world. The worst thing is the denial of sin.” — Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Examination of Conscience
Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.
Click here to download a free copy of Examination of Conscience.
Sophia Sketchpad: Confession (7:55)
Confession is a Place of Victory (8:02)
Why Confess My Sins to a Priest? (8:44)
What is Sin? (6:00)