Articles

11 Things That Happen When You Commit To Going To Confession Regularly

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Videos

Catholicism 101: Confession!

Learn the importance of making a good Confession and how to improve your Confessions.
Presenter
Publisher
Institute for New Media
Institute for New Media

In this short, humorous video created by the Institute for New Media, we are given the boost we may need getting to Confession. It covers many of the fears we may face returning to the Sacrament if we've committed a sin we are especially embarrassed about.

Key Takeaways

  • The video is short and to the point
  • Clever images and vocalizations used to ease anxiety about Confession
  • Highlights God's Mercy
  • Emphasizes Confession is not about judgement

Questions for Reflection

  1. Did this video put your mind at ease regarding Confession?
  2. Is it easier for you to believe that Confession is not something you should fear after watching this video?
  3. Can you identify what's keeping you from returning to Confession?
Videos

Why Confess My Sins To A Priest?

This video is short but it says a lot! Chris Stefanick is a passionate, joyful evangelizer who shares his thoughts on why you should go to Confession.
Presenter
Publisher
Chris Stefanick
EWTN

The Sacrament of Confession is scriptural. When we confess our sins to a priest, we are obeying Christ and how He envisioned us relieving the burden of our transgressions. If we are a follower of Christ we do what He asks us to do!

Chris gives us four main reasons to go to Confession. Some of the reasons he suggests are ones that are not typically mentioned : psychological health, going straight to God instead of relying on ourselves , making sure our serious, mortal sins are forgiven and healing our community through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

There is so much packed into this short video you may have to watch it several times to catch it all.

Make sure you're taking notes!

Key Takeaways

  • The devil is a liar. His desire is that our sins would fester in our heart, harming us mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. When you confess your sins, you are removing their power over you.
  • When you go to Confession you are going straight to Christ himself. The priest is "In personaChristi", in English, " In the person of Christ". Professing your sins to Christ is preferable to saying them to yourself in your room.
  • Mortal sin breaks the friendship we have with God. If we desire to restore this relationship we must seek absolution from a priest. We can be sure of this healing when we hear the words the priest speaks during the sacrament.
  • The only way to heal the damage we have done to the community when we sin is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
  • My relationship with God does not depend on my perfect love for Him but on His perfect love for me.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Were any of the reasons Chris mentioned for going to Confession new to you?
  2. What do you think about the words the priest speaks to you in the sacrament? Did this video give you a greater appreciation of what is said in Confession?
  3. What do you think of the concept that Christ died to give us grace and mercy? Do you think of that reality in relationship to the Sacrament of Confession?
Articles

Examination of Conscience Using the Beatitudes

Presenter
Publisher
Clumsy Theosis

Looking for a different way to examine your conscience? Using the Beatitudes is a wonderful tool to see how we are not living up to the Lord's standards. "Am I gentle with others or am I harsh?" "Do I truly yearn for God's Will to be done, in my life and in all things?" " Do I love purity and honesty?" These probing questions and more are in this beautiful examination.

Church Documents

Catechism Of The Catholic Church

Presenter
Publisher
The Catholic Church
Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Confession: paragraphs 1420-1498

Videos

The Top 3 Reasons That I Became Catholic.....and Always will Be

Presenter
Publisher
Dr. John Bergsma
Diocese of Harrisburg

This is a beautiful story of Dr. Bergsma's conversion to the Catholic Church. Dr. Bergsma relates how he had a desire to go to Confession one day and pulled into the local Catholic Church. Not unusual for those who are Catholic, but for Dr Bergsma, who was a Protestant minister at the time, it was definitely out of the ordinary.