Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation - sometimes called Confession, or Penance - is the opportunity for Catholics to come before God, acknowledging their sins and receiving forgiveness. Before the sacrament, the penitent completes an examination of conscience, reflecting prayerfully on the areas of their life where they may have failed to live according to God's word.

At the beginning of the sacrament, the priest welcomes the penitent in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The penitent typically begins with the phrase: "Bless me Father for I have sinned, my last confession was _____ ago", and then fully confesses their sins. The priest may offer some advice or guidance, and will assign a penance. The penitent will be invited to say the Act of Contrition, and then will be granted absolution.

If you haven’t been to Confession in a while, St. Mary's is happy to welcome you back, inviting you to experience this beautiful sacrament of healing. By taking a step in faith, you may be surprised about how free you feel after taking part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many Catholics describe feelings of relief, peace, joy, and unexpected love. Our Lord is calling you to experience His unlimited mercy in this way too.