Sacrament of Penance

We know that God is love (1 Jn 4:8). "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" (1 Cor 13:4-8). Love also embodies mercy and forgiveness.

The importance of forgiveness cannot be understated. It was one of Jesus' centeral teachings, best demonstrated in the parable of the Merciful Lord and the Unforgiving Servant (Matt 18:21-35). While baptism removes the obstacle to God's grace, that is original sin, and brings us to new life in Christ, God knew that we would continue to sin because of our fallen and wounded human nature. So in his plan to return us to a state of holiness, Christ gave us the Sacrament of Penance, a sacrament which allows the Church to continue Christ's ministry of forgiving the sins of the contrite.

Through the Sacrament of Penance, the penitent experiences the fullness of God's mercy through an encounter with Christ Jesus himself, made possible through the spiritual character of the priest. It is not the priest who forgives sins in this sacrament, but rather Christ himself who uses the priest as his instrument of divine mercy. Reception of Penance restores us to holiness and frequent reception of the sacrament helps us to become more resistant to sin in our lives. That is the power of the grace of this sacrament. It's a gift that is free for the asking.

Have You Been Away from The Sacrament for a While?

The second precept of the Church requires all Catholics to "confess your sins at least once a year." Doing so "ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness." (Catechism 2042, see also 1457)

In addition, "it must be recalled that...this reconciliation with God leads, as it were, to other reconciliations, which repair the other breaches caused by sin. The forgiven penitent is reconciled with himself in his inmost being, where he regains his innermost truth. He is reconciled with his brethren whom he has in some way offended and wounded. He is reconciled with the Church. He is reconciled with all creation." (Catechism 1469)

Those who have been away from the Church or who have not been to confession for some time may find it helpful to speak with a priest or pastoral staff person to refresh themselves on how to receive this sacrament (i.e., how to "go to confession"). Our parish priests and pastoral staff would warmly welcome any questions they have about the sacrament or about what one needs to confess.

If you've been away from the Church for whatever reason, there is no time like the present to begin the journey home. Like the parable of the Prodigal Son, the parish community of St. Albert the Great Parish longs to welcome you home and embrace you within its community once again.