On the evening of Easter, the risen Jesus appeared to His apostles. He breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.”
Only God can forgive sins. Jesus gave His apostles, and the priests who follow them, the power to forgive sins in His name. This sacrament is called Reconciliation, Confession or Penance.
Here is what happens:
- Examine your conscience: think about your sins, using the commandments to help you.
- Go to the priest. Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession.”
- Confess your sins honestly. The priest is there to help you.
- Listen to the priest's advice. He will give you a penance: a prayer or good action to help make up for your sins.
- Pray an Act of Contrition to tell God you are sorry.
- The priest prays the words of absolution, and God forgives your sins.
- Thank God, do your penance, and go in peace!
The priest can never tell anyone what you confess. This is called the seal of confession.
Reconciliation brings us back into friendship with God and with the Church. Many people say they feel light and joyful afterward, like the son welcomed home by his father.