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The Sacrament of

Reconciliation

The sacrament of Reconciliation is a special encounter with Jesus
Christ and it is a fruitful source of grace. The Catechism of the
Catholic Church tells us: “The sacrament of Reconciliation with
God brings about a true ‘spiritual resurrection,’ restoration of the
dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which
the most precious is friendship with God” (1468). Indeed, the
sacrament of Reconciliation is a time for love, mercy and healing.
Regrettably, some see this sacrament of forgiveness and healing as
a cause for anxiety and fear. Jesus intended it to be a time of
compassion and mercy and every priest in confession is conscious
of being a minister of understanding and forgiveness. When Jesus
gave us this sacrament He knew well our human nature and
knew the need we have — that is, to encounter — to hear the
freeing words: “I absolve you of your sins. . . .” The Church
recommends monthly confession as a spiritual discipline. At a
minimum, Catholics must make a confession of sins when they
are conscious of mortal sin before the reception of holy
Communion. The precept of the Church says that Catholics
ought to confess their sins in the sacrament of Confession at least
once a year during the Easter Season.

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