Videos
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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Church Documents
Catechism Of The Catholic Church
Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Confession: paragraphs 1420-1498
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.
Videos
Mortal vs. Venial Sin
In this video Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the difference between venial sin and mortal sin.
Fr. Mike opens with the scripture passage from 1 John 5: 16-17. "There is such a thing as deadly sin", writes John.
There are 3 stipulations for a sin to be mortal:
- The offense must be serious
- You must know it's serious
- You must give full consent to committing the offense
All sin is wrongdoing and an offense against God. Venial sins harm our relationship with God, but mortal sin breaks our communion with Him. This is true in all relationships. Some offenses will weaken our friendship, but some will cause irreparable damage. We should strive to not offend anyone we're in a relationship with, particularly our Lord.
The wonderful gift is that grace is always available to us. God desires to restore our relationship with Him. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. It's time to be forgiven.
Key Takeaways
There is a difference between mortal and venial sin.
- There is a difference between venial and mortal sin.
- Mortal sin is a grave action, committed in full knowledge of its gravity and with full consent.
- Venial sin weakens us to the point where it makes committing a mortal sin easier.
- Confession is the Sacrament of Mercy.
- Sin is a wound in our relationship with God and others.
- Grace is always available to us
Questions for Reflection
- Are you sensitive to the difference between a mortal and venial sin and realize when you have committed one or the other?
- Do you try to avoid venial sins and confess them regularly to avoid falling into more serious sin?
- Do you think it's important to examine yourself daily to see a pattern of behaviors which may be sinful or ways where you have failed to love God and others?
Videos
Catholicism 101: Confession!
Learn the importance of making a good Confession and how to improve your Confessions.
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
- Did this video put your mind at ease regarding Confession?
- Is it easier for you to believe that Confession is not something you should fear after watching this video?
- Can you identify what's keeping you from returning to Confession?
