Penance
God's gift of forgiveness and reconciliation
"He breathed on them, and said to them, '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: 19-23
God's Gift of Reconciliation
Not only does the Sacrament of Penance free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."
Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church. In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church.
Names of the Sacrament
Penance
Expresses the way it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.
Confession
Refers to the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest as an essential element of this sacrament.
Forgiveness
Illustrates how the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent pardon and peace.
Reconciliation
Because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles.
How to Make a Good Confession
Step 1 — Preparation
Before going to confession, the penitent compares his or her life with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the example of Christ and then prays to God for forgiveness.
Step 2 — Going to Confession
The priest welcomes the penitent and both make the sign of the cross. The priest briefly urges the penitent to have confidence in God.
Step 3 — Confession of Sins
The penitent confesses his or her sins. If necessary, the priest helps make a complete confession. The sorrow felt for sins is known as contrition and must include an intent to sin no more.
Confession Schedule: Every Saturday from 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. (English only).