Our Lady Star of the Sea | St Bernard of Clairvaux | St Saviour
Scarament of Confession
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, Jesus showed himself to his apostles. 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 20:19, 22-23)​
The Sacrament of Forgiveness, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession, is a sacrament in which Catholics confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. This Sacrament is first received before one makes the First Holy Communion, and continues throughout one’s life because: -
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According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year." Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.57 Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. CCC 1457.
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The process involves examining one’s conscience, confessing sins to a priest, performing an act of contrition, receiving penance (a task or prayers to perform as a sign of repentance), and receiving absolution, which forgives the sins. This sacrament emphasises God’s mercy and the importance of seeking forgiveness. Moreover: -
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"Individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only ordinary way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church, unless physical or moral impossibility excuses from this kind of confession." There are profound reasons for this. Christ is at work in each of the sacraments. He personally addresses every sinner: "My son, your sins are forgiven." He is the physician tending each one of the sick who need him to cure them. He raises them up and reintegrates them into fraternal communion. Personal confession is thus the form most expressive of reconciliation with God and with the Church. CCC 1484.
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Confession times are – Saturday 11.00 am until 12 noon and 4.00pm until 4.50pm, Sunday 10.00am until 10.45am or by request either approaching the Clergy after Mass, or contacting the Office.