Articles
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.
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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?
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
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.
Videos
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.
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?