Pastoral

Confession

In a society in which the line between good and bad is ever more difficult to see due to moral relativism, it can be hard to see why one should apologize or acknowledge a mistake. Hate, resentment and pride can be formidable obstacles in today’s society, in preventing us from uttering the word “sorry”. However, our conscience reminds us that we are not perfect and that we can all make mistakes. These mistakes can often become a burden which weigh on our minds. For this reason, confession can serve to take away this burden and provide us with the peace that we need to live life to the full. The amount of time that has passed since our last confession does not matter, nor do the number and the gravity of our sins – sins being offences against God and others, or rather, failures to comply with God’s Ten Commandments. If we are truly repentant and we have the humility to confess our sins to God through the priest (who God has chosen as the minister of reconciliation), then our sins will be forgiven.

Spiritual support

Everyone, at one time or another, feels the need to speak to someone they trust about the problems and worries we have in our lives. We want another person’s advice and personal perspective, so that we can overcome or resolve a difficult situation that we are faced with. Yet often we can’t find the person who we need or sometimes we may feel that the advice received from family and friends is not enough to deal with a particular situation. In the end, we need someone who understands us, won’t judge us, and won’t be upset about what we say. We need someone who can draw on the Gospel to help us grow and develop as people and reach maturity as a Christian. This is what spiritual support means. As you go through life, remember that you do not have to be alone.

The sacrament of repentance and reconciliation

If many have lost their perspective on good and evil, it is because they have lost their sense of God, interpreting guilt only from a psychological or sociological viewpoint. (John Paul II)

As St John the Apostle said, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”

To acknowledge one's sin, indeed – penetrating still more deeply into the consideration of one's own personhood – to recognize oneself as being a sinner, capable of sin and inclined to commit sin, is the essential first step in returning to God.”

Apostolic exhortation “Reconciliatio et Paenitentia”, John Paul II

Five steps for a good confession

The Church recommends taking five steps to make a good confession and to get the most out of this wonderful sacrament.