Catholics urged to take advantage of confession this Lenten season

By Katherine Long
Sun editor

In January, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a pastoral exhortation entitled “God’s Gift of Forgiveness.” In this document, the bishops remind Catholics of the “extraordinary gift” of forgiveness God extends to them through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance, perhaps better known as confession. “In the [sacrament], we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. In this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him free from serious sin, with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacrificial love in the Eucharist,” the bishops write.

   The bishops also encourage all faithful — particularly those who haven’t visited the confessional in some time — to rediscover the sacrament during Lent. Here, with the help of Father Gregory Kreinheder, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church and St. Stephen the King Church in Oswego, the Sun explores this sacrament of healing and peace.

The purpose of reconciliation

   The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that “sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church,” (1440). The purpose of the sacrament of reconciliation is to heal that rupture and damage, says Father Kreinheder.

   Sin causes an individual to be “closed off in a profound way from our relationship with God and his Church,” he said. “Every Catholic needs the sacrament [of reconciliation] to be freed from their sin, to experience God’s love and to be reunited with the communion of the Body of Christ. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness.”

The elements of reconciliation

   Throughout the history of the Church, the sacrament of reconciliation has been celebrated in various ways. Jesus, the original confessor, befriended sinners and personally brought them to his table. In the early days of the Church, some Christians were required to perform lengthy and public penances. By the seventh century, private celebration between penitent and priest had begun (CCC, 1447). Even today, the practice continues to evolve — often, individuals can choose face-to-face confessions rather than confession behind the more traditional screen.

   Despite these changes in practice, the essential elements of the sacrament have remained the same:

   Contrition: The sorrow for having sinned and the firm resolve not to sin again; without this conversion of the heart, there can be no forgiveness
   Confession: The act of telling one’s sins to a priest
   Penance: The actions performed to amend for one’s sins
   Absolution: God’s forgiveness of sins as imparted by a priest

Regular reconciliation

   The Church requires that every Catholic confess serious sins, at minimum, at least once per year; regular confession of “everyday faults” is strongly recommended (CCC, 1457).

   “Regular confession is an essential part of any healthy spiritual life, because sin is the primary obstacle in our relationship with God,” adds Father Kreinheder. “A standard recommendation would encourage a confession once a month to once every few months. Any time someone falls into serious sin, though, they should avail themselves of the sacrament at the next available opportunity.”

   Essential, too, is not avoiding the sacrament or talking one’s self out of receiving it.

   “As individuals, we can become rather skilled at explaining away our sins and deciding for ourselves that what we’ve done isn’t all that bad, or perhaps isn’t even a sin at all,” said Father Kreinheder. “It’s terribly dangerous to deal with the reality of our sin by ignoring it, as though it will just go away if we don’t think about it.”
   
Priest as confessor

   Knowing that God alone can forgive sins (CCC, 1441), penitents may think that reconciliation can be achieved through personal prayer.

   “Unfortunately, that’s a misconception that has become rather common even among Catholics,” said Father Kreinheder. “First, the sacraments are necessarily tangible signs instituted by Christ for the conferral of grace. …Being able to see Christ’s intermediary, the priest, in person and hear his voice as he prays the words of absolution gives us a more intimate experience of forgiveness. Second, the concept of forgiveness sought solely through private prayer neglects the fact that we are a Body of Christ, a communion of believers in the Church. The priest not only stands in the person of Christ bestowing forgiveness, but also stands as mediator, offering the forgiveness that is sought from the community.”

Be not afraid

   Of course, admitting one’s failings and wrongdoings aloud to a priest — especially the parish priest one sees every week — may not come easy for many. First and foremost, Father Kreinheder assures penitents that all confessions are kept in the strictest of confidence.

   “The seal of confession is absolute,” he said. “Under no circumstances, for no reason, can a priest divulge the content of a sacramental confession.”

   Penitents need not fear judgment from a priest, either. “Rather than judging someone, we strive to see them with the same love with which we hope Jesus sees us,” Father Kreinheder said. “When I see someone who has been harmed by sin, as a priest my primary concern is their well-being. My heart wells up with a deep sense of merciful love.”

   But, he adds, “It’s understandable that one might feel uncomfortable going to their parish priest. Going to a neighboring parish or the Franciscan Place [at the Destiny USA shopping mall in Syracuse], is perfectly permissible. Our main concern is that they go somewhere!”

   Finally, if it’s been a while since that last confession and the procedure isn’t springing readily to mind, Father Kreinheder says any priest is ready to help with that as well. “If people have forgotten prayers or how to go to confession, that shouldn’t keep them away,” he said. “We can help anyone make their way through the rite. Forgetting prayers should not stand in the way of divine mercy!” (See also the handy “How to go to Confession” guide below.)

   “The truth of the matter is that too many of us are going about our daily lives weighed down under the burden of sins that we simply don’t need to be carrying around with us,” Father Kreinheder said. “The liberation available in this wonderful sacrament is too valuable to be turned down.”