Videos
Fr. Mike Schmitz gives encouraging advice to those who have been away from the Sacrament of Confession.
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz always presents an uplifting, approachable explanation about particulars of the Faith. In this video he gives great advice to those who, for one reason or other, have not gone to Confession for a while.
How do you remember the sins you've committed ten years ago? By using an examination of conscience, you can see where you have failed to love God. Where and how did you say "no" to Him over the course of the time you've been away?
Sin breaks our relationship with God. Confession is the opportunity to restore that bond. Just as you would say you're sorry to someone you've injured, telling God you are sorry for offending Him repairs the damage you have incurred.
Key Takeaways
- The Holy Spirit convicts us of what we have done wrong if we give Him the time and space to listen to His voice.
- A good Examination of Conscience is a necessary tool to determine how we have missed the mark of loving God as we should.
- If you unintentionally forget to mention a mortal sin in Confession, that sin is forgiven, but you should mention it the next time you go to Confession.
- Confession is always about restoring our relationship with God. We should try to remove every impediment which stands in the way of loving Him.
- Fr. Schmitz has co-authored a book "Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation"
Questions for Reflection
- Is there something that is keeping you from Confession?
- Are you willing to prepare yourself properly to receive the sacrament ?
- Does examining your conscience seem overwhelming, scary, intimidating, or painful?
Other Resources
Explore more
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?
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?
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.
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
- Were any of the reasons Chris mentioned for going to Confession new to you?
- 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?
- 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?
Videos
Why Confess Your Sins to a Priest? | Made For Glory
Fr. Michael Nixon continues discussing why going to Confession is helpful.
Fr. Michael Nixon 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
- 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?
Articles
Examination of Conscience Using the Beatitudes
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.