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Sacraments
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
A sacrament of healing and mercy
God waits for us with love
In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus shows us a Father who is always waiting for us, ready to welcome and forgive us, no matter how far we have strayed.
This sacrament is an invitation to return to God, who loves us with an infinite love and desires to reconcile us to himself.
Jesus, the source of forgiveness
Only God can forgive sins. Jesus, as the Son of God, has the power to say, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mk 2:5). He passed this power on to his apostles and, through them, to the priests of the Church.
Thus, in confession, it is Christ himself who acts through the priest to grant us his forgiveness.
How do I prepare for confession?
Confession has five essential steps:
Examination of conscience:
Reflecting on our actions, words and thoughts in the light of the Gospel.
Contrition:
Having a heart that is truly sorry for our sins.
Resolution:
Making a firm decision not to sin again.
Confession: Confessing our sins to the priest with humility and sincerity.
Penance:
Performing the act of reparation proposed by the priest.
A sacrament of healing
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is a gift of God's infinite love. Through this sacrament, Christ frees us from sin, heals our spiritual wounds and strengthens us in our weakness.
It is a manifestation of divine mercy, as the parable of the prodigal son illustrates.
Need help?
Do you have any questions?
For any question about the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation or to prepare its celebration, contact your parish or the archdiocese.
The sacraments