Penance

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Penance or Confession, is a gift of God’s mercy that brings peace to the mind and healing to the soul. Through this sacrament we receive the joyful assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we are restored to right relationship with God. Jesus Himself instituted this sacrament after His resurrection when, appearing to the Apostles in the Upper Room, He said: “Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:19–23).

In Confession, the priest acts in the person of Christ to absolve sins when they are humbly confessed with true repentance. This sacrament reconciles us with God and with the Church, renews our baptismal grace, and strengthens us to live a faithful Christian life.