The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is one of the two Sacraments of Healing.  Not wanting us to remain in our sins, Jesus instituted this Sacrament after His resurrection. 

"When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgive; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” - John 20:20-23

"Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as 'the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace.'”  Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1446

A Sacrament that Heals

Just as when we are physically sick and we need to see a doctor.  The same is true for our spiritual health.  Saint Thomas Aquinas explains that: "In the life of the body a man is sometimes sick, and unless he takes medicine, he will die. Even so in the spiritual life a man is sick on account of sin. For that reason he needs medicine so that he may be restored to health; and this grace is bestowed in the Sacrament of Penance."   This Sacrament heals our broken relationship with God, the Church and with others.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is often called the:

• Sacrament of Penance since it calls the sinner personally to repentance.

• Sacrament of Confession since in confessing our sins we acknowledge the need for God and we praise His loving mercy.

• Sacrament of Forgiveness since absolution grants us pardon and peace.

• Sacrament of Conversion because it has the capacity to change our hearts.

  "Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin, all hope consists in confession; in confession there is a chance for mercy."  Saint Isidore of Seville

   

Preparing for Confession: 
Examination of Conscience Guides

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR ADULTS
Examination of Conscience for Parents/Married Couples
Examination of Conscience for Single People
Examination of Conscience for Teens
Examination of Conscience for Children

Confession Schedule at St. Pius X

You may contact Fr. T.J. McKenzie to arrange an appointment if you are unable to make it to confession at a regularly scheduled time.
651-429-5337