Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
May the peace of the Risen Lord be with you always! Just as Christ greeted his apprehensive Apostles with these comforting words in the Upper Room on the day of his Resurrection, he extends the same peace to each of us in our moments of fear and uncertainty. Repeating the reassuring phrase, “Peace be with you,” he bestowed upon them an extraordinary gift: the Holy Spirit, with the power to forgive sins (John 20:19-23).
In this act, the Risen Lord revealed that his suffering had a profound purpose—to offer the gifts of salvation and forgiveness to all humanity. He desired for his Apostles to embrace these gifts and become messengers of forgiveness to others.
In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also known as confession, we encounter the Lord who eagerly offers forgiveness and the grace to lead a renewed life in him. Through this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him in the Eucharist, free from grave sin, with a vibrant faith, hopeful outlook, and selfless love. Recognizing its significance, the Church mandates that every Catholic partake in confession at least once a year, while encouraging frequent confession to deepen our union with Christ and his Church.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek forgiveness, turn away from sin, cultivate virtue, and bear witness to the joy of conversion. Pope Benedict XVI aptly remarked, “The New Evangelization… begins in the confessional,” highlighting the transformative power of this sacrament.
As bishops and priests, we stand ready to assist you if you feel hesitant or unsure about approaching the Lord in confession. If it has been a long time since you last received this healing sacrament, we warmly invite you back. As recipients and ministers of Christ’s forgiveness, we humbly approach this sacrament throughout our lives, especially during this sacred season of Lent.
During Lent, in addition to various penitential services, we will be readily available for individual celebrations of confession. May the Holy Spirit inspire all Catholics, clergy and laity alike, to respond to the call of the New Evangelization by encountering Christ in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Come to the Lord and experience the extraordinary grace of his forgiveness!
How to go to Confession
May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints,
whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace. –Rite of Penance, no. 93
PREPARATION: Before going to confession, take some time to prepare. Begin with prayer, and reflect on your life since your last confession. How have you—in your thoughts, words, and actions—neglected to live Christ’s commands to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37, 39)? As a help with this “examination of conscience,” you might review the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes
(Ex 20:2-17; Dt 5:6-21; Mt 5:3-10; or Lk 6:20-26).
GREETING: The priest will welcome you; he may say a short blessing or read a Scripture passage.
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: Together, you and the priest will make the Sign of the Cross. You may then begin your confession with these or similar words:
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [give days, months, or years] since my last confession.”
CONFESSION: Confess all your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are finished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
PENANCE: The priest will propose an act of penance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life
ACT OF CONTRITION: After the priest has conferred your penance, pray an Act of Contrition,expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving to sin no more. A suggested Act of Contrition is:
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.
(Rite of Penance, no. 45)
ABSOLUTION: The priest will extend his hands over your head and pronounce the words of absolution, which are:
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.
You respond, “Amen.”
PRAISE: The priest will usually praise the mercy of God and will invite you to do the same. For example,the priest may say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.” And your response would be, “His mercy endures for ever” (Rite of Penance, no. 47).
DISMISSAL:
The priest will conclude the sacrament,often saying, “Go in peace.”