Penance & Reconciliation
- See Confession Made Easy flowchart here.
- HD quality charts in English (without the logo of Our Lady Queen of Peace) are available for download at the bottom of this page and also here.
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- Confession Charts in other languages available for download here.
 See YouTube presentations on
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God Never Tires of Forgiving
"It is not easy to entrust oneself to God’s mercy, because it is an abyss beyond our comprehension. But we must! 'Oh, Father, if you knew my life, you would not say that to me!' 'Why, what have you done?' 'Oh, I am a great sinner!' 'All the better! Go to Jesus: he likes you to tell him these things!' He forgets, he has a very special capacity for forgetting. He forgets, he kisses you, he embraces you and he simply says to you: 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more' (Jn 8:11). That is the only advice he gives you. After a month, if we are in the same situation ... Let us go back to the Lord.
The Lord never tires of forgiving: never! It is we who tire of asking his forgiveness. Let us ask for the grace not to tire of asking forgiveness, because he never tires of forgiving. Let us ask for this grace.” [Pope Francis, Homily, Parish of St Anna in the Vatican, 17 March 2013]
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Examination of Conscience
There are many ways of approaching the Examination of Conscience in preparation for Confession.
- A shorter Examination of Conscience for Adults is available for download below and also here, as are Examinations of Conscience for Teens and for Children.
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Hope in God's Mercy and Pardon
Take heart, I insist, because Christ, who pardoned us on the Cross, is still offering us his pardon through the Sacrament of Penance. We always 'have an advocate to plead our cause before the Father: the Just One, Jesus Christ. He, in his own person, is the atonement made for our sins, and not only for ours, but for the sins of the whole world,' (1 Jn 2: 1-2) so that we may win the Victory.
Forward, no matter what happens! Cling tightly to Our Lord's hand and remember that God does not lose battles. If you should stray from him for any reason, react with the humility that will lead you to begin again and again; to play the role of the prodigal son every day, and even repeatedly during the twenty-four hours of the same day; to correct your contrite heart in Confession, which is a real miracle of God's Love. In this wonderful Sacrament Our Lord cleanses your soul and fills you with joy and strength to prevent you from giving up the fight, and to help you keep returning to God unwearied, when everything seems black. In addition, the Mother of God, who is also our Mother, watches over you with motherly care, guiding your every step. [St Josemaría Escrivá, The Christian's Hope, Friends of God, no. 214]
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"I encourage you to discover anew the sacrament of Reconciliation and to
avail yourselves more frequently of the transforming power of its
grace." [Benedict XVI, Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, 19 March 2010, no. 14]
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"The sacrament of Penance is also important. It teaches me to see myself as God sees me, and it forces me to be honest with myself. It leads me to humility. The Curé of Ars once said: 'You think it makes no sense to be absolved today, because you know that tomorrow you will commit the same sins over again. Yet,' he continues, 'God instantly forgets tomorrow’s sins in order to give you his grace today.'"
"Even when we have to struggle continually with the same failings, it is important to resist the coarsening of our souls and the indifference which would simply accept that this is the way we are. It is important to keep pressing forward, without scrupulosity, in the grateful awareness that God forgives us ever anew – yet also without the indifference that might lead us to abandon altogether the struggle for holiness and self-improvement. Moreover, by letting myself be forgiven, I learn to forgive others. In recognizing my own weakness, I grow more tolerant and understanding of the failings of my neighbour." [Benedict XVI, Letter to Seminarians, 18 October 2010, no. 3]
Pope Francis’ top
ten reasons to go to Confession
(Original November 2013 article here)
There's
been lots of anecdotal evidence of a boom in people going to confession
because of what Pope Francis has been saying about it.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said
he repeatedly hears reports
from priests that "a lot of people have been going to confession and
many have said that while they hadn't gone in a long time, they felt
touched by the words of Pope Francis."
"God
is happy when he gives us his mercy," and it's that invitation to not
be afraid to ask for God's forgiveness that is fueling the boom, said
the regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican court that deals
with the sacrament of penance.
Msgr. Krzysztof
Nykie told Vatican Radio Nov. 14 that the four papal basilicas and
churches around the Vatican are "full of people who are asking for
confession and for dedicating time for prayer," particularly on a
Wednesday general audience day and the day of the Sunday Angelus.
"They are coming to confession with greater confidence and a sincere spirit of repentance," he said.
The
pope has been emphasizing the importance of the sacrament of
reconciliation because "God's mercy is at the heart of the Gospel
message," the monsignor said.
"Jesus came to
save those who are lost," and the pope wants all men and women to know
that conversion and salvation are always possible at any time in life.
The
officials at the Apostolic Penitentiary have been sharing this message
for a while. Now it's a message more people seem to be hearing.
Below are some of Pope Francis’ memorable quotes about why Catholics should go to confession:
1.
Confession helps people feel shame for the wrong they have done and
embraces them with God's love so that they know they are forgiven and
can go out strengthened in the battle to avoid sin in the future.
2.
"But if a person, whether a layperson, priest or sister, goes to
confession and converts, the Lord forgives. And when the Lord forgives,
he forgets. This is important," Pope Francis
told reporters July 28.
3. The confessional is not a dry cleaners, a business of sorts that's just washes out the stain of sin,
the pope said to members of the Vatican's investment agency April 29.
4. "…when the door starts closing a bit because of our weakness and sins, confession reopens it.”
5.
"I can’t be baptized two or three or four times, but I can go to
confession, and when I go to confession, I renew that grace of baptism,”
the pope said at his
general audience Nov. 13.
6. It's not a torture chamber where you'll be raked over the coals.
7. Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose "mercy motivates us to do better."
8.
It's not a psychiatric session that neglects the question of sin or a
mental email to God that avoids the face-to-face encounter with the Lord
through the priest.
9. The sincere and humble
admission of one's weaknesses, of having "a sliver of Satan in my
flesh," shows that the power of salvation comes from God, not oneself,”
Pope Francis said in a
morning homily June 14.
10.
Confession "is going to praise God, because I -- the sinner -- have
been saved by him," who always waits and always forgives "with
tenderness."
- See more at:
http://www.catholicreview.org/article/faith/vatican-news/pope-francis-top-ten-reasons-to-go-to-confession#sthash.hQyHELIr.dpuf
There's
been lots of anecdotal evidence of a boom in people going to confession
because of what Pope Francis has been saying about it.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said
he repeatedly hears reports
from priests that "a lot of people have been going to confession and
many have said that while they hadn't gone in a long time, they felt
touched by the words of Pope Francis."
"God
is happy when he gives us his mercy," and it's that invitation to not
be afraid to ask for God's forgiveness that is fueling the boom, said
the regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican court that deals
with the sacrament of penance.
Msgr. Krzysztof
Nykie told Vatican Radio Nov. 14 that the four papal basilicas and
churches around the Vatican are "full of people who are asking for
confession and for dedicating time for prayer," particularly on a
Wednesday general audience day and the day of the Sunday Angelus.
"They are coming to confession with greater confidence and a sincere spirit of repentance," he said.
The
pope has been emphasizing the importance of the sacrament of
reconciliation because "God's mercy is at the heart of the Gospel
message," the monsignor said.
"Jesus came to
save those who are lost," and the pope wants all men and women to know
that conversion and salvation are always possible at any time in life.
The
officials at the Apostolic Penitentiary have been sharing this message
for a while. Now it's a message more people seem to be hearing.
Below are some of Pope Francis’ memorable quotes about why Catholics should go to confession:
1.
Confession helps people feel shame for the wrong they have done and
embraces them with God's love so that they know they are forgiven and
can go out strengthened in the battle to avoid sin in the future.
2.
"But if a person, whether a layperson, priest or sister, goes to
confession and converts, the Lord forgives. And when the Lord forgives,
he forgets. This is important," Pope Francis
told reporters July 28.
3. The confessional is not a dry cleaners, a business of sorts that's just washes out the stain of sin,
the pope said to members of the Vatican's investment agency April 29.
4. "…when the door starts closing a bit because of our weakness and sins, confession reopens it.”
5.
"I can’t be baptized two or three or four times, but I can go to
confession, and when I go to confession, I renew that grace of baptism,”
the pope said at his
general audience Nov. 13.
6. It's not a torture chamber where you'll be raked over the coals.
7. Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose "mercy motivates us to do better."
8.
It's not a psychiatric session that neglects the question of sin or a
mental email to God that avoids the face-to-face encounter with the Lord
through the priest.
9. The sincere and humble
admission of one's weaknesses, of having "a sliver of Satan in my
flesh," shows that the power of salvation comes from God, not oneself,”
Pope Francis said in a
morning homily June 14.
10.
Confession "is going to praise God, because I -- the sinner -- have
been saved by him," who always waits and always forgives "with
tenderness."
- See more at:
http://www.catholicreview.org/article/faith/vatican-news/pope-francis-top-ten-reasons-to-go-to-confession#sthash.hQyHELIr.dpuf
There's
been lots of anecdotal evidence of a boom in people going to confession
because of what Pope Francis has been saying about it.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said
he repeatedly hears reports
from priests that "a lot of people have been going to confession and
many have said that while they hadn't gone in a long time, they felt
touched by the words of Pope Francis."
"God
is happy when he gives us his mercy," and it's that invitation to not
be afraid to ask for God's forgiveness that is fueling the boom, said
the regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican court that deals
with the sacrament of penance.
Msgr. Krzysztof
Nykie told Vatican Radio Nov. 14 that the four papal basilicas and
churches around the Vatican are "full of people who are asking for
confession and for dedicating time for prayer," particularly on a
Wednesday general audience day and the day of the Sunday Angelus.
"They are coming to confession with greater confidence and a sincere spirit of repentance," he said.
The
pope has been emphasizing the importance of the sacrament of
reconciliation because "God's mercy is at the heart of the Gospel
message," the monsignor said.
"Jesus came to
save those who are lost," and the pope wants all men and women to know
that conversion and salvation are always possible at any time in life.
The
officials at the Apostolic Penitentiary have been sharing this message
for a while. Now it's a message more people seem to be hearing.
Below are some of Pope Francis’ memorable quotes about why Catholics should go to confession:
1.
Confession helps people feel shame for the wrong they have done and
embraces them with God's love so that they know they are forgiven and
can go out strengthened in the battle to avoid sin in the future.
2.
"But if a person, whether a layperson, priest or sister, goes to
confession and converts, the Lord forgives. And when the Lord forgives,
he forgets. This is important," Pope Francis
told reporters July 28.
3. The confessional is not a dry cleaners, a business of sorts that's just washes out the stain of sin,
the pope said to members of the Vatican's investment agency April 29.
4. "…when the door starts closing a bit because of our weakness and sins, confession reopens it.”
5.
"I can’t be baptized two or three or four times, but I can go to
confession, and when I go to confession, I renew that grace of baptism,”
the pope said at his
general audience Nov. 13.
6. It's not a torture chamber where you'll be raked over the coals.
7. Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose "mercy motivates us to do better."
8.
It's not a psychiatric session that neglects the question of sin or a
mental email to God that avoids the face-to-face encounter with the Lord
through the priest.
9. The sincere and humble
admission of one's weaknesses, of having "a sliver of Satan in my
flesh," shows that the power of salvation comes from God, not oneself,”
Pope Francis said in a
morning homily June 14.
10.
Confession "is going to praise God, because I -- the sinner -- have
been saved by him," who always waits and always forgives "with
tenderness."
- See more at:
http://www.catholicreview.org/article/faith/vatican-news/pope-francis-top-ten-reasons-to-go-to-confession#sthash.hQyHELIr.dpuf
There's
been lots of anecdotal evidence of a boom in people going to confession
because of what Pope Francis has been saying about it.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said
he repeatedly hears reports
from priests that "a lot of people have been going to confession and
many have said that while they hadn't gone in a long time, they felt
touched by the words of Pope Francis."
"God
is happy when he gives us his mercy," and it's that invitation to not
be afraid to ask for God's forgiveness that is fueling the boom, said
the regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican court that deals
with the sacrament of penance.
Msgr. Krzysztof
Nykie told Vatican Radio Nov. 14 that the four papal basilicas and
churches around the Vatican are "full of people who are asking for
confession and for dedicating time for prayer," particularly on a
Wednesday general audience day and the day of the Sunday Angelus.
"They are coming to confession with greater confidence and a sincere spirit of repentance," he said.
The
pope has been emphasizing the importance of the sacrament of
reconciliation because "God's mercy is at the heart of the Gospel
message," the monsignor said.
"Jesus came to
save those who are lost," and the pope wants all men and women to know
that conversion and salvation are always possible at any time in life.
The
officials at the Apostolic Penitentiary have been sharing this message
for a while. Now it's a message more people seem to be hearing.
Below are some of Pope Francis’ memorable quotes about why Catholics should go to confession:
1.
Confession helps people feel shame for the wrong they have done and
embraces them with God's love so that they know they are forgiven and
can go out strengthened in the battle to avoid sin in the future.
2.
"But if a person, whether a layperson, priest or sister, goes to
confession and converts, the Lord forgives. And when the Lord forgives,
he forgets. This is important," Pope Francis
told reporters July 28.
3. The confessional is not a dry cleaners, a business of sorts that's just washes out the stain of sin,
the pope said to members of the Vatican's investment agency April 29.
4. "…when the door starts closing a bit because of our weakness and sins, confession reopens it.”
5.
"I can’t be baptized two or three or four times, but I can go to
confession, and when I go to confession, I renew that grace of baptism,”
the pope said at his
general audience Nov. 13.
6. It's not a torture chamber where you'll be raked over the coals.
7. Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose "mercy motivates us to do better."
8.
It's not a psychiatric session that neglects the question of sin or a
mental email to God that avoids the face-to-face encounter with the Lord
through the priest.
9. The sincere and humble
admission of one's weaknesses, of having "a sliver of Satan in my
flesh," shows that the power of salvation comes from God, not oneself,”
Pope Francis said in a
morning homily June 14.
10.
Confession "is going to praise God, because I -- the sinner -- have
been saved by him," who always waits and always forgives "with
tenderness."
- See more at:
http://www.catholicreview.org/article/faith/vatican-news/pope-francis-top-ten-reasons-to-go-to-confession#sthash.hQyHELIr.dpuf
Below are some of Pope Francis’ memorable quotes about why Catholics should go to confession:
-
Confession helps people feel shame for the wrong they have done and embraces them with God's love so that they know they are forgiven and can go out strengthened in the battle to avoid sin in the future.
- "But if a person, whether a layperson, priest or sister, goes to Confession and converts, the Lord forgives. And when the Lord forgives, he forgets. This is important," Pope Francis told reporters July 28.
- The confessional is not a dry cleaners, a business of sorts that just washes out the stain of sin, the Pope said to members of the Vatican's investment agency April 29.
- "…when the door starts closing a bit because of our weakness and sins, Confession reopens it.”
- "I can’t be baptized two or three or four times, but I can go to Confession, and when I go to Confession, I renew that grace of Baptism,” the Pope said at his general audience Nov. 13.
- It's not a torture chamber where you'll be raked over the coals.
- Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose "mercy motivates us to do better."
- It's not a psychiatric session that neglects the question of sin or a mental email to God that avoids the face-to-face encounter with the Lord through the priest.
- The sincere and humble admission of one's weaknesses, of having "a sliver of Satan in my flesh," shows that the power of salvation comes from God, not oneself,” Pope Francis said in a morning homily June 14.
- Confession "is going to praise God, because I -- the sinner -- have been saved by him," who always waits and always forgives "with tenderness."
Also, read Pope Francis’ story about one confession he says changed his life.
See also:
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Acts of the Penitent
- Contrition
- Confession
- Satisfaction
Confession times
Confessions are heard before and after Mass daily.
Fr. Fergus and Fr. James are also happy to schedule appointments for spiritual guidance.
Sundays and Weekdays: 20 minutes before & after all Masses
Saturdays: 9.30am — 1pm; 20 minutes before & after 6pm Mass
Thursday evenings: 7-8pm (during Holy Hour)
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