THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

 Why confess sins to a priest? It is quite possible of course to pray in sorrow to God “directly” for one’s sins. Indeed  this is necessary, because it fosters an attitude of compunction, or the revulsion of one’s past deeds. Yet such prayer, even if said alone, always takes place in the context of the Church, the mystical body of Christ, since it is in and through the Church that Christ communicates with us. Our Lord instituted the sacraments for the Church to show just how close he is. As signs that bring us his actual presence among us, they are the means he gave to the Church for her members to become partakers in the divine life.  As a minister of the Church, the priest is a mediator between God and his people, administering sacramental grace through the sacraments.  There are four key moments in the sacrament of reconciliation: Contrition (sorrow for sins) Confession (an honest  and straightforward account of sins committed since one’s last confession) Absolution (the prayer given by the  priest, which absolves (forgives) the penitent of sins confessed) Satisfaction (penance – as a means of restoring  the justice owed to God that is lost through sin; it usually takes the form of prayer or an act of reparation).  What needs to be confessed? All mortal sins committed since one’s last confession must be confessed.  A mortal sin is a sin that gravely offends against God. It is also good to confess venial sins, which might be considered less serious, but which still stain the soul.  Have great confidence in the sacrament of reconciliation, especially if you have not been for a while. You will receive great encouragement from the priest, who is always happy to hear your confession.