Sacraments & Life
[Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
John 20:21-23
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Confessions
Saturdays, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm or by appointment
The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation — also called Penance or Confession — is the sacred rite instituted by Jesus Christ to offer forgiveness for sins committed after baptism and to restore a person's relationship with God and the Church. Preparation for this Sacrament is typically done prior to First Holy Communion for children in the second grade or through the OCIA process for adults preparing to be received into the Catholic Church.
If you are a Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), you are welcome to avail of the Sacrament regardless of how long it has been. Please review how to prepare for the Sacrament and let the priest know how long it has been since your last Confession.
Rite of Reconciliation
1. Priest gives a blessing or greeting.
2. Make the Sign of the Cross and say “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (Give weeks, months, years).
3. Confess all your sins to the priest. (If you are unsure or uneasy, the priest will guide you.)
4. The priest assigns a penance and offers advice to help you be a better Catholic.
5. Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins.
6. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.
7. After Confession, take time to thank God for His mercy and offer the penance prescribed by the priest.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, 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 Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
— Traditional version
Act of Contrition (or Prayer of the Penitent)
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.
— Alternate version from the Rite of Penance
