The true meaning of the Confessional

The Confessional is truly a sacred space.

It is a doorway into the inner sanctuary of man and the heart’s entry point for Divine Light.

No human should be left to deal with their sins alone. The burden of our sinful choices and actions places an incredible weight on our hearts and lives.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is where the wounded come for healing. It is where the wounded acknowledge their wounds and receive healing and peace by the Forgiveness of the God of Infinite Love.

Jesus, being the only Son of God could exercise this Divine power to forgive sins during his walk on earth: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2: 5,10, Luke 7:48).

He then instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the evening of Easter when he showed himself to his Apostles 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 20:22-23)

The priest then who sits in the confessional is the one who is most humbled. When he himself capable of sin is asked by God to stand humbly in his place and forgive the sins of others in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Priest/Confessor is not the master of God’s forgiveness but its servant. (Catechism 1466)

The effects of the sacrament of Confession are Reconciliation with God – The forgiveness of every sin. Reconciliation with the Church – where God wants you to make your home.

Recovery of the state of Grace – which helps you realize the person you were created to be.

Peace, the serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation, and an increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of Christian living. A struggle that with regular visits to the confessional, becomes a beautiful struggle for holiness. 

Let us go to confession!