Confession and Times

Some things you may need to know about Confession

Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance, is one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. It is a sacrament of healing, where Catholics can confess their sins and receive God's forgiveness through the ministry of a priest. The process typically involves the following steps:

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Examination of Conscience: Before going to confession, individuals are encouraged to reflect on their actions and examine their conscience to identify any sins they may have committed.

Confession: In the confessional or a designated area, the individual confesses their sins to a priest. They should be sincere and specific about their sins.

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Contrition: The person confessing is expected to express genuine sorrow and contrition for their sins, demonstrating a sincere desire to turn away from those actions.

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Absolution: The priest, acting in the person of Christ, grants absolution, imparting God's forgiveness and reconciling the individual with the Church community.

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Penance: The priest may assign a penance, usually prayers or other acts of devotion, as a way for the individual to make amends for their sins and to foster spiritual growth.

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The Catholic Church teaches that the sacrament of confession is a means of spiritual healing, reconciliation with God, and restoration of the individual's relationship with the Church community. It is generally recommended that Catholics participate in the sacrament of reconciliation regularly, especially during the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent.

Confession is considered a private and confidential sacrament, and the seal of confession is absolute. This means that priests are bound by the strictest confidentiality and cannot reveal anything disclosed during confession under any circumstances.

It's important to note that while the general structure of the sacrament is consistent, practices may vary among individual churches or dioceses within the Catholic Church.