WHAT IS RECONCILIATION / CONFESSION?

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism.  Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.

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When we sin, we choose to separate ourselves from God's love. In Reconciliation we are turning away from sin and back to God, who embraces us through the Sacrament.

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One goes to Confession privately behind a screen or face-to-face with the priest. Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance consists of a good examination of conscience. This examination, guided by the Ten Commandments, prepares one to confess sins to the priest. Confession presumes the penitent is truly sorry with a firm resolve not to sin again.

WHY CONFESS
TO A PRIEST?

Only God can forgive sins.  Through his ordination, the priest acts in persona Christi (in the person of Christ) to administer the Sacrament. The humanly priest is a mediator between us and God.​

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As the priest listens to confessions, he guides sinners toward true repentance, assures them of God’s mercy, and leads them to new ways of living that honor God and the Christian community. This guidance also involves the imposition of penance, which usually requires, if possible, repairing the harm done to anyone and doing something further to make amends for the sin. This could involve saying certain prayers, taking on a practice of fasting for a time, serving a neighbor, or volunteering at a charity