Sacrament of Reconciliation

Confessions are heard in the confessional room, in Bishop Roger’s vestry chapel, at the Southeast end of the Basilica,
3PM- on Saturdays, and on
First Fridays from 9:30AM, during the First Friday Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration

Jesus said to them, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I AM sending you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’

The Gospel of John (20:21-23)

‘It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin.
It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.
It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a “confession” – acknowledgment and praise – of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.
It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.”
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: “Be reconciled to God.” He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:24).

Catechism of the Catholic Church § 1422-
'He told me all that I ever did...we know now that He is the Saviour' John 4 - Jesus at Jacob's Well - Saint Michael's Basilica Stained Glass
‘He told me all that I ever did…we know now that He is the Saviour’ (John 4) – Jesus at Jacob’s Well – Saint Michael’s Basilica Stained Glass

The Rite of Confession (How-to)

  1. Prayerfully prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation by examining your consience, what is on your heart that is affecting your relationship with God, family, and neighbour?
  2. When a priest is available for Confession, in the confessional room or confessional area of a church, approach them, and sit or kneel behind a screen or facing the priest, as you prefer.
  3. Make the Sign of the Cross ✚, saying, ‘In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’
  4. You may state when you made your last Confession.
  5. Name the sins weighing on your heart, separating you from God and others. Use your examination of conscience as your guide.
  6. When finished, you may say, ‘I am sorry for these and all my sins.’
  7. The priest assigns a penance, to heal the hurt of sin, and to strengthen against further temptation.
  8. Say an Act of Contrition, such as: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have Mercy on me, a sinner.’
  9. The priest prays the beautiful Prayer of Absolution.
  10. The priest offers a final prayer of blessing and peace.
  11. We perform our assigned Penance.
  12. We are reconciled to God, to ourselves, and to our neighbours.

More Resources

More resources are available on the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation through our freely accessible Parish subscription to Formed (access instructions here):

Forgiven: The transforming power of Confession – videos for all Catholics, parents, youth

Brother Francis’ guide to Confession for children

Michael ‘Gomer’ Gormley, co-host along with Dave VanVickle of the great Every Knee Shall Bow podcast for Catholic Evangelization, provides this great resource to prepare worthily for Confession, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Make a Holy Confession.