“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.”
(1 Jn 1:9)

The Sacrament of Penance

 

 
Even after we have received the gift of grace and the life of the Holy Spirit within us in the Sacrament of Baptism, we still struggle with sin in our lives. The Sacrament of Penance (or Reconciliation) is where Catholics come to experience forgiveness of sins we commit after we are Baptized.

We find many examples of and lessons about forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation and penance, described in the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the epistles, which help us both understand our need of these from the Lord and the Lord’s desire to offer them to us. Some examples include the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32), the story of Zaccheus, the tax collector (Luke 19:1-10), of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). These stories and other teachings highlight the mercy and forgiveness we experience in the Sacrament and the reason Catholics seek it.

The Sacrament of Penance is celebrated on Saturdays, 3:30-4:15pm in the Chapel. Can’t remember what to say or do? Watch the video to your right on how to go confession.