Reconciliation

“Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.”
– St. Pope John Paul II

The importance of Confession

“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion. (Lumen Gentium 11, in CCC 1422)

The Sacrament of Reconciliation exemplifies God’s  love and mercy towards sinners. It allows us to gain back the grace that we received in Baptism. Sin damages three types of relationships; that with ourselves, that with others, and that with God. In sinning, the baptized soul has wounded its communion with God but through confession that union is rekindled. “‘The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship.’ For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation ‘is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation.’ Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true “spiritual resurrection,” restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God. CC 1468