Saint Thomas Aquinas said about Reconciliation: “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”.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, is one of Catholicism’s most beautiful aspects. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession so sinners can obtain forgiveness for their sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean” and renews us in Christ.
“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 forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21–23).
Confession is necessary because it allows individuals to acknowledge their wrongdoings, seek forgiveness, and relieve the burden of guilt. Depending on the context, it leads to a clearer conscience and a renewed relationship with God or others; it can also be a crucial step toward personal growth and healing from past actions.
On 2 January 2025, I found myself at the Basilica of San Albino, my parish in Mesilla, New Mexico, set on going to Confession. This was not a regular practice for me; Confession was something I had not sought since my Baptism.
I am not a bad person. No matter what is happening in the world, I always try to embody what it means to be a Christian. Doing my best, however, is not always the best according to the teachings of Jesus Christ or the Catholic Church. There have been times I have failed.
After my Baptism, I attended Mass as often as I could. I was there each Sunday, every holy day of obligation, and the odd weekday. Between Mass, I would say the Rosary and pray a Novena here and there. The only thing missing was Confession.
Over time, as I would fail to keep some of the commandments or when I would allow my anger to get the better of me, I knew I should go to Confession, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. As it were, I would add stain upon stain and begin to move further away from the Church. I felt that my sins were enough to keep me from the presence of God.
After reading that St. Francis of Assisi believed Confession was essential in preparing the soul to receive the Eucharist. He believed Confession reconciled people with God and the Church and freed them from sin. I began to study what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about the Sacrament of Penance.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that Confession is a sacrament that involves expressing repentance for sins and receiving God’s healing and forgiveness. The Catechism also recommends that people confess their sins regularly, even minor ones.
I didn’t feel I could return to Mass because I failed to meet Jesus in the Sacrament, my laziness, and the perceived magnitude of my sins. I had made a goal of returning to the Church and following God’s commandments. I wanted to be a good Catholic, but I didn’t know what I could do. Then, God intervened.
As a photographer I love to photograph the Church. Even before the RCIA and my Baptism, the Church called to me. At Christmas, I wanted to take photos of one particular Church in Las Cruces.
When I walked into Holy Cross Catholic Church, I discovered faithful members were there for Eucharistic Adoration. How could I stand before Jesus Christ under this crushing weight of sin? I turned around and left.
About twenty minutes later, I was back at Holy Cross Catholic Church, ready to photograph this fantastic space. As I stood there, looking around, one older lady began to walk my way.
This woman reminded me of my loving grandmother and asked me why I left. I told her.
“Remeber, the Bible says, ‘If we confess our sins [emphasis added], God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9). We all sin; I’m happy we can go to God, through the priest, and our sins are gone,” she said.
I never learned her name during our thirty-minute conversation, but he told me how there were times she felt that God would turn away from her because of her sin.
“But He will forgive us,” she said. “It’s not him, the priest, who does the forgiving; it is God through the priest.”
Before we parted, she made me promise that I would go to Confession before the first Saturday of the New Year.
There I am, freezing in my truck and watching the snowfall. The wait for the Basilica of San Albino to open seemed an eternity. When the Church did open, I joined the queue for Confession.
Can people see my sin? What if I don’t receive absolution? What happens if I have to make penance for the rest of my life? Did I forget something during my examination of conscience? Can everyone hear my heartbeat, or just me!
Lots of things were running through my head as I waited. Then, it was my turn.
My Confession did not shock the priest. After I enumerated my sins, Father Christopher provided me much-needed guidance and granted absolution.
I’ve learned that the Sacrament of Penance can have positive psychological effects, such as increased self-knowledge, humility, and self-control. It can also help you overcome vices and feel peace and serenity.
This coming Thursday, I will be at Confession once more. I’ll need to confess a couple of sins again, but through the Holy Spirit, God will guide the priest, and I’ll have guidance and forgiveness.
It can be scary, but we are always welcomed back to receive the Sacrament of Penance, whether it has been two weeks or two decades since our last Confession. Those who have gone to confession relay that they are experiencing peace and joy and feel the weight come off their shoulders as they receive forgiveness for their sins.
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