Confession is a Place of Victory

In this moving video, Fr. Mike Schmitz recounts his love for the Sacrament and the victory it is for those who receive the Mercy of God in Confession.

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Confession is not a place of sadness. It is one of the most joyful places in the world. First, you get to experience God's mercy and the love that God gave to us through the cross. Second, it is a place where people are striving to grow in holiness.

Fr. Mike iterates that the priest does not remember your sins. Sins are not fascinating, but PEOPLE are fascinating. Sins are boring. God is more interested in you than in the sins you have committed.

The heart of the priest is revealed in Confession. He recognizes his own failures and faults. The priest knows Christ has paid the price of the forgiveness of our sins and joins his sufferings to that of Christ for the love of the penitent. In the confessional , the priest gets to see God winning His children back.

Key Takeaways

It is not sad for a priest to hear people's sins in Confession.
Confession is a place to see God's Mercy in action.

In confession

the discouraged are lifted up
the wounded are healed
the lost are found
Sin is a failure. Going to Confession and saying, "I'm not giving up on a God who has not given up on me" is a victory!
You are a part of God's masterpiece
Priests are God's "garbage men".
Confession is a place of Victory!

Questions for Reflection

Do you think of yourself as someone who is trying to love God more or someone who has failed when you go to Confession?
What do you think of Fr. Mike Schmitz's image of a priest being God's garbage man?
What part of this video had the greatest impact on you? Why?

Other Resources

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Videos

Why Confess My Sins to a Priest?

Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the authority of priests to offer forgiveness of sins through the ministry of the Church.

Jesus gave His disciples the power to forgive sins when He breathed His Spirit on them after the Resurrection. Through apostolic succession, each priest has the same power entrusted to him. This gift was given to the Church so that the forgiveness of Christ can go out to the whole world.

Through this power and authority of Jesus, we are absolved of our sins. Reconciliation between us and God and the community is obtained.

Key Takeaways

Christ established the Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring forgiveness to the world.
Priests represent Christ.
Authority to forgive sins is lived in and through the priest.
One person's sins affect the whole body of Christ.

Questions for Reflection

Do you believe in the authority of priests to forgive your sins?
Why is going to a priest to confess your sins different than just saying them to yourself?
What do you think of the reality that our sins harm the Body of Christ?

Testimonies

Confession Changed Me

Confession changed the life of several people who were away from the Sacrament for many years.

Joseph Pronechen collects stories about several people who returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after being away for many years. Beautiful testimonies! There is so much joy in their return to God.

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

Examinations

A Guided Examination of Conscience

This Examination of Conscience is a wonderful tool that can be used every time you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One good word of advice: Make sure you pray before you prepare.

Fr Mark-Mary walks you through the Ten Commandments in a way which enables you to go deeper into your examination before going to Confession. The questions he asks are helpful to anyone who desires to more thoroughly prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Examinations