The sinner wounds God’s honor and love, his own human dignity…and the spiritual wellbeing of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone. To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin and nothing has worse consequences for the sinners themselves, for the Church, and for the whole world. (CCC 1487, 1488)

A mature understanding of sin includes reflecting upon our thoughts, actions, and omissions as well as examining the patterns of sin that may arise in our lives. With contrite hearts, we are also called to reflect upon the effects of our sins upon the wider community and how we might participate in sinful systems.

Four Steps in the Sacrament of Reconciliation

• We feel contrition for our sins and a conversion of heart to change our ways
• We confess our sins and human sinfulness to a priest
• We receive and accept forgiveness (absolution) and are absolved of our sins
• We celebrate God’s everlasting love for us and commit to live out a Christian life

The Spiritual effects of the Sacraments of Reconciliation include:

• Reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace
• Reconciliation with the Church remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle. (CCC 1496)
• Individual confession with a priest is the principal means of absolution and reconciliation of grave sins within the Church.
• The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from sinful patterns of behavior and calls us to complete conversion to Christ. Reconciliation heals our sins and repairs our relationships.