The Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Hear the words “I absolve you” and know by Christ’s authority your sins are gone.

In Catholic Theology…

We distinguish between physical life (biological existence) and divine life (sanctifying grace). Physical life is what we receive at conception: it makes us living human beings. Divine life is what we receive at Baptism: it makes us children of God, participants in God's own nature, with the capacity for eternal communion with Him.

Mortal sin destroys divine life in the soul while leaving physical life intact. It's like cutting yourself off from a power source: the appliance still exists, but it no longer functions as intended. That's why the Church teaches that someone in mortal sin is spiritually dead even while physically alive. The soul can be restored to divine life through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where God's grace brings resurrection to the spiritually dead, just as Christ will one day bring resurrection to the physically dead.

Catholic Teaching

One must confess mortal sins as they remove us from God’s grace

Venial sins are lesser offenses and are forgiven during the penitential rite

Purgatory is the final cleansing from venial sin before entering Heaven

Purgatory

Paul describes Christians who are definitively saved but must pass through fire first, suffering loss as their imperfect works burn away. This can't be hell (they're saved) and it can't be heaven (nothing impure enters there). It's exactly what purgatory describes: a purification after death where the saved are cleansed from the effects of sin before entering heaven. If everyone goes straight to heaven or hell at death, this passage makes no sense. Why would the saved need purifying fire?

Do I need to Confess to a Priest?

First Time to Confession

Steps to Confession

  • Examination of Conscience

    • Reflect on Your Sins

  • Confession Sin

    • Tell to Priest

  • Accepting Penance

  • Act of Contrition

    • Express your Sorrow

Act of Contrition

At the end of confession, the priest will invite you to say an Act of Contrition. This prayer helps you to express how sorry you are for your sins. If you’re ever in confession and forget how to say this prayer, just ask the priest to lead you through it.

Sample:

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.

Final Points and Questions

  • We should go to reconciliation as often as we need

  • Candidates should go prior to Easter (during Lent would be good)

  • Sins are washed away at Baptism

Conclusion: The Gift of a Fresh Start

The Sacrament of Reconciliation brings together everything we need to understand about God's mercy.

First, it's rooted in Christ's own words and actions. On the day of his resurrection, Jesus gave his apostles the authority to forgive sins, making this sacrament part of the Church's life from the very beginning.

Second, it gives us certainty. When the priest says "I absolve you from your sins," those aren't empty words. They carry the authority of Christ himself. You don't have to wonder if God has forgiven you. You know it, because you've heard it proclaimed with divine authority.

Third, it heals both our relationship with God and our relationship with the Church. Sin isn't just a private matter between us and God. It affects the whole Body of Christ. When we're reconciled through this sacrament, we're restored to full communion with both God and his people.

Fourth, it requires our participation. We must examine our conscience, feel genuine sorrow for our sins, confess them honestly, and have a firm purpose of amendment. The sacrament doesn't work like magic. It requires our cooperation with God's grace.

Finally, it demonstrates that God's mercy is always greater than our sin. No matter what we've done or how far we've wandered, the Father is waiting to welcome us home. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is his embrace, making that welcome real and tangible every time we approach it with a sincere heart.

This is why the Church requires confession at least once a year and strongly encourages frequent confession. It's not about God needing to hear our sins. It's about us needing to experience his mercy, over and over again, until we finally understand just how much we are loved.