Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, more commonly known as “confession,” is one of the healing sacraments of the Church.  It is sometimes known as the sacrament of Penance or Forgiveness. "Those who approach the sacrament of Reconciliation / 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." (CCC)

Catholics must go to confession at least once a year. In order for a person's sins to be absolved (forgiven), the penitent (person confessing) must ask forgiveness, be sorry for committing the sin and intend not to commit the sin again.

• Every Saturday from 3:30 - 4:15PM
• At the Penance Rite during Advent/Lent
• By appointment 

Before our sins can be forgiven, we must first humble ourselves before the Lord, by admitting out loud (in strict confidence to a priest) that we’ve sinned, confessing each of those sins and resolving not to commit those sins again. This is called an Act of Contrition and there are many versions: 

O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.

or

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art All Good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Your Grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.

or

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you, Whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your help to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His Name, my God, have mercy.  Amen.