THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION
What better time to reflect on the Sacrament of Confession than during the Month of November as we reflect on the last things! The Sacrament of Confession was instituted by our Lord as the ordinary means for the forgiveness of mortal sins. In 1983, the Pope held a special Synod of Bishops in order to remind Catholics that the Church's ancient teaching remains unchanged. The Bishops insisted that the reception of Holy Communion in mortal sin is a sacrilege. If one is in the state of mortal sin, one must go to sacramental confession first before the reception of Holy Communion.
To hold that one can obtain forgiveness for sin by confessing one's mortal sins directly to God without sacramental confession is contrary to our Lord's teachings. Addressing this topic, Pope John Paul II taught: "The Church can forgive nothing without Christ and Christ does not wish to forgive anything without the Church." Mortal Sins are forgiven through the Priesthood of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of Confession.
How about venial sins? The Synod recalled the teachings of Pope Pius XII: "It is true that venial sins may be expiated in many ways which are to be highly recommended. But to insure more rapid daily progress in the path of virtue, We will that the pious practice of frequent confession, which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, should be earnestly advocated. By it, genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and mediocrity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary self-control is attained, and grace is increased in virtue of the sacrament itself."
How many shattered families might have been saved if they went to frequent Confession and Communion? How many young people would have been spared the degradation and destruction of their of lives by drugs and lust if they had placed themselves in the hands of the Savior in the Sacrament of Penance? How many souls would have been spared the eternal punishment of hell, if they had made confession a frequent practice during their lives?
My dear parents! Do you want to insulate your family against the present day evils? Bring your children to Jesus Christ in the holy Sacrament of Confession frequently! The grace of the sacrament will shield them from the evils that can destroy now and for all eternity.
Confession is where the misery of man meets the mercy of God. The misery of man is sin; the mercy of God is the forgiveness of sins. "We (priests) are ambassadors of Christ. God, as it were, appealing to you through us. Be reconciled to God" (2Cor 5: 20).
May the Holy Mother of God, the Refuge of Sinners and the Gate of Heaven, grant us the humility to get on our knees and say to the Priest of Jesus Christ: "Bless me Father For I Have sinned!”
Fr. Richard J. Rego, S.T.L.
To hold that one can obtain forgiveness for sin by confessing one's mortal sins directly to God without sacramental confession is contrary to our Lord's teachings. Addressing this topic, Pope John Paul II taught: "The Church can forgive nothing without Christ and Christ does not wish to forgive anything without the Church." Mortal Sins are forgiven through the Priesthood of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of Confession.
How about venial sins? The Synod recalled the teachings of Pope Pius XII: "It is true that venial sins may be expiated in many ways which are to be highly recommended. But to insure more rapid daily progress in the path of virtue, We will that the pious practice of frequent confession, which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, should be earnestly advocated. By it, genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and mediocrity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary self-control is attained, and grace is increased in virtue of the sacrament itself."
How many shattered families might have been saved if they went to frequent Confession and Communion? How many young people would have been spared the degradation and destruction of their of lives by drugs and lust if they had placed themselves in the hands of the Savior in the Sacrament of Penance? How many souls would have been spared the eternal punishment of hell, if they had made confession a frequent practice during their lives?
My dear parents! Do you want to insulate your family against the present day evils? Bring your children to Jesus Christ in the holy Sacrament of Confession frequently! The grace of the sacrament will shield them from the evils that can destroy now and for all eternity.
Confession is where the misery of man meets the mercy of God. The misery of man is sin; the mercy of God is the forgiveness of sins. "We (priests) are ambassadors of Christ. God, as it were, appealing to you through us. Be reconciled to God" (2Cor 5: 20).
May the Holy Mother of God, the Refuge of Sinners and the Gate of Heaven, grant us the humility to get on our knees and say to the Priest of Jesus Christ: "Bless me Father For I Have sinned!”
Fr. Richard J. Rego, S.T.L.
posted by Fr. Richard J. Rego at 5:32 PM
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