Tuesday, August 25 : Catechism of the Catholic Church

The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission we look squarely at the sins we are guilty of, take responsibility for them, and thereby open ourselves again to God and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible. Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance…: when Christ’s faithful strive to confess all the sins that they can remember, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon… [But] if the sick person is too ashamed to show his wound to the doctor, the medicine cannot heal what it does not know” (Council of Trent; St Jerome). According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year”… Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful (Lk 6,36)… “When you begin to abhor what you have done, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You ‘do the truth’ and ‘come to the light’.” (St Augustine; Jn 12,13).

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team