What is Confession?
The Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation is a sacrament of joy. It is a sacrament of healing and conversion, returning us to the Father after we sin.
Why confess and why to a priest?
Jesus Christ gave His disciples – and by extension, priests – the power not only to “loose” sins (that is, forgive in God’s name), but also to “bind” (that is, impose penances). The priest serves as the representative of God and of His mercy. Confession gives new courage, confidence, and a fresh start. One learns humility by this practice, receives additional grace in order to avoid sin, and attains a certainty of forgiveness that is superior to mere feelings. Source: How to Make a Good Confession, Our Sunday Visitor
My friends don’t go, why should I?
The choices of others should never dictate your own. Exercise your free will, do what you think is right and your friends will respect you all the more for it. Who knows, maybe it’ll encourage them to go to Confession too.
I have never been to Confession or I have not gone in years. What do I do?
It’s better late than never. Besides, there are no penalties or late fees for overdue souls so that’s no excuse. Picking up this guide is a good start—just re-acquaint yourself with the procedure and you might find that it’s easier than it seems. Even if you forget, the priest will be there to help you along every step of the way.
What if I don’t feel comfortable talking to a priest?
Everything that happens in Confession stays in Confession. Don’t worry, everything you say will be held in the utmost secrecy and it isn’t likely that you’ll tell the priest anything he hasn’t heard before.
How do I prepare?
Keep in mind that the basic requirement for a good confession is to have the good intention of returning to God. The rest should become easier: • The first thing to do is to examine your conscience and to try your best to recall your sins since your last good confession. For mortal sins, you should think about the number of times, or how frequently you did them each day, week, or month.
• More importantly, you need to be truly sorry for your sins. Sincerity makes the difference between a good and bad confession. If you think you had a negative experience with your last confession (i.e., you had no true sorrow or had purposely omitted sins), be sure to bring it up during your next one so you can be absolved of that as well. • Resolve firmly in your heart that you’ll try your hardest not to sin again. Nobody can promise never to fall into sin, but trying makes all the difference. If possible, pray the Act of Contrition* in front of a crucifix.
I’m not sure about my sins. What sort of things should I bring up?
Here are a few questions that should help you examine your conscience:
1. When was my last good confession? Did I receive Communion in the state of mortal sin, without first going to Confession? Did I purposely omit some mortal sin in my previous confession? 2. Did I seriously doubt my Faith, or put myself in danger of losing the Faith through bad readings or joining non-Catholic sects? Did I engage in superstitious practices, such as palm-reading or fortune telling? 3. Did I use the name of God in vain, by swearing uselessly or making a false oath? 4. Did I miss Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation through my own fault, without any serious reason? Did I fast and abstain on the prescribed days?
5. Did I disobey my parents and lawful superiors in important matters? 6. Did I hate or quarrel with anyone or desire revenge? Did I refuse to forgive? Did I get drunk? Did I consent to, recommend, or have an abortion? Did I take prohibited drugs? 7. Did I willfully look at indecent pictures, or watch immoral movies? Did I read immoral books or magazines or visit immoral websites? Did I engage in impure jokes or conversations? Did I willfully entertain impure thoughts or feelings? Did I commit impure acts, alone or with others? Did I take “pills� or use other artificial means in order to prevent having children? 8. Did I steal or cause damage to another’s property? Have I made reparation for any damage done? Have I been honest in all my dealings? 9. Did I tell lies? Did I criticize, gossip, or destroy the good name of others? Did I judge others rashly in serious matters?
What do I do during Confession? As soon as you step into the confessional box, just kneel down and say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last good confession was … (how many weeks, months, or years) ago. These are my sins …” • Say the sins that you remember, starting with the hardest, the ones you feel are the most shameful, then it will be easier to say the rest. • Listen to the advice the priest may give you. Pay attention to the penance (some prayer or good work) he will ask you to do. • Say once more the Act of Contrition, and humbly and gratefully listen to the Absolution given by the priest in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to which you will answer “Amen.”
If you don’t know how to confess or feel uneasy or ashamed, feel free to ask the priest for help and he will gladly oblige.
What do I do after Confession? Give thanks for your reconciliation and promptly and devoutly fulfill the penance given by the priest. Although you may receive Holy Communion even before performing your penance, it is advisable to perform it as soon as possible. If you recall some grievous sin you forgot to tell, do not worry. Be assured that it has been forgiven with the others, but remember, you have the duty to mention it in your next Confession.
How often should we confess? We are to confess serious sins at least once a year; those aware of committing a mortal sin must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion.The Church also encourages us to go to confession more frequently, if possible, in order that we might deepen our relationship with God and grow in humility and virtue. Through the sacrament we also receive the grace to help us avoid future sin. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1458). Source: How to Make a Good Confession, Our Sunday Visitor
*Act of Contrition O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Schedule of Confessions (Stella Orientis Chapel) Monday - Friday: 8:30 am to 7:30 pm Saturdays: 9:30 am to 7:30 pm No confessions on Sundays and public holidays