“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you’ And when he said this he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
– John 20: 21-23
The Sacrament of Reconciliation or ‘confession’ is Jesus’ recognition that we are humans.
When we are baptized, our original sin is washed away and we receive the Grace of Christian Initiation. But Jesus knew that being human, many would forget their Baptismal promises and may fall into sin.
Since His mercy is infinite, it is natural that He would provide a way to receive His Grace through the heartfelt and mindful confession of our sins, and a genuine want for forgiveness through penance.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available Saturdays at 4:30 pm or by appointment at Santa Maria Goretti.