The Sacrament of Penance: No sin is unforgivable.
--Contributed by a humble priest

The greatest sorrow is to die with unforgiven sin. To help us remain in God’s grace and to receive Jesus in the Eucharist Our Lord left us His undying mercy in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Here, Jesus is present for us, for all of us, no matter how great our sin is. He is the merciful Savior. His mercy cleanses, comforts, forgives and restores us to life. His words to Saint Faustina (1905-1938) compel us to reconsider the value of the Sacrament: "When you go to confession, to this fountain of mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flow down upon your soul. Its the tribunal of Mercy (the sacrament of Reconciliation) the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy." "Come with faith to the feet of My representative. I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest. I Myself act in your soul. Make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen. Never analyze what sort of a priest it is that I am making use of, open your soul in confession as you would to the Queen of Heaven, but also to Me, and I will fill it with My light." "Were a soul like a decaying corpse, such that from a human standpoint there would be no hope of restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. From this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity."

How to go to Confession

To receive the fullness of Christ’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation it is necessary to be truly repentant. That is, sorry for our sins and humble before God in seeking his mercy. The priest is the minister of the Sacrament and in the name of Jesus, who said "whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven", he absolves you from your sins.

Before going to Confession, take time to reflect prayerfully on your life and on your offenses to God. It may be helpful to make a note for yourself if you find that you sometimes forget what you wanted to say when you get to the Sacrament. Don’t hesitate to bring it along. Below is an Examination of Conscience to help you reflect on your life and discern your sins. There are many ways to do this. It is often useful to reflect on the Ten Commandments as a means of self-evaluation.

Begin by telling the priest how long it has been since your last confession, and with great honesty tell him all that afflicts you. The priest does not stand in judgment. He is the instrument of God’s mercy and forgiveness, and God always forgives.

Do not have any mental reservations. Do not attempt to hide any of your sins thinking that you and God know what you are guilty of, therefore you need not tell it to a human being. When one sins, one must expiate. It is an act of humility and expiation to confess your sins. Sins withheld in confession are withheld from God’s forgiveness. If you struggle repeatedly with any sins in particular, then make the priest aware of it. He will have some guidance and direction to help you in your weakness.

Listen to any spiritual direction which the priest may give to you. Meditate on it afterwards and strive never to repeat the sins. Endeavor to be good. But keep in mind that the Sacrament of Penance is a sacrament of healing. The grace and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are poured out upon your soul, and therefore it is necessary to return often in your struggle with weakness and habitual sin.

Either during the time you are with the priest, or directly afterwards, make an Act of Contrition:

“O my God, l am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell. But most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.”

After leaving the priest, say your penance. Penance is applied to you by the priest as an act of expiation. It is usually in the form of prayer. Offer these prayers to Jesus for your sins. Live to expiate. Let penance become part of your life. Praise God for His mercy and goodness to you. Seek to live out the Sacrament in your daily life, making sacrifices of love to atone for your sins.

Spiritual Direction

It is a very good practice to select a priest as a personal spiritual director. Find a priest that you feel comfortable talking to, who is prayerful himself. Someone who will be compassionate. Meet with him at least once a month for guidance and direction in your spiritual growth. This gives an opportunity for monthly confession, guidance, and support.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

Sins of Pride. Pride may be the gravest of all sins, entering into our thinking and acting in subtle ways. It is the sin of Satan and his followers: believing that their intelligence and ability was greater than God’s. Mankind today, in the twenty-first century, has developed an attitude of self-reliance; no longer needing the law of God as revealed through the church and the Gospel. Pride always puts us above God, or in opposition to God. It was the cause of Satan’s fall, and it is the measure by which we determine what side of the battle between good and evil we stand on. Pride keeps us from repenting. It is the force that repels us from confessing our sins through the sacrament of Penance. It is pride’s way to make us believe that we know better than the Church, and that we are ‘OK’ in our habitual sins of slander, cursing, impurity, avarice, and even the murder of abortion.

Pride is that powerful force which makes us want to be better than the person next door, to outdo others in dress, wealth, possessions. Pride prevents us from forgiving others, from letting go of hatred, from seeking the will of God in our lives, and from loving.

Pride makes us hold grudges against our parents, brothers, sisters and friends; it prevents us from accepting our weaknesses in a spirit of repentance. It puts barriers around our weaknesses and makes us persist stubbornly in actions which are painful to others, to ourselves and God. The struggle began in Heaven long ago between the forces of Lucifer and the Holy Ones of God. It still rages in our humanness, and we are each involved in this baffle. Humility, and a sincere effort to overcome that part of us which resists love, is our means of aligning ourselves with the forces of Heaven.

Examining Ourselves in Light of the Commandments

Breaking God’s commandments is a failure in love of ourselves, of God and of others. The commandments, taken as a whole, give us a complete instruction on God’s plan for our lives. They each compliment and incorporate each other, forming a circle of love around us which enables us to lead orderly, meaningful lives. When we break one of these commandments we put ourselves at odds with God. We break out of His circle of love.

Sins Against the First Commandment

"I am the Lord Your God, You shall not have other Gods besides me."

The first Word of the Father is this: "I am the Lord your God". This is written by the finger of God everywhere, constantly repeated by everything. By grass and stars, by water and fire, by wool and food, by light and darkness, by health and illness, by wealth and poverty. Everything says: "I am the Lord. You received that from Me. One thought of Mine gives it to you, another takes it away from you. There is no power that can shield you from My will. It calls and shouts in your consciences: ‘I am the Lord your God'".

Sins against the first commandment may include the denial of God, refusing to know, love and honor Him, failing to accept and live by His will, and failing to thank Him for all of His gifts.

Worshiping false idols violates this commandment which forbids false idols. Putting anything before God is a violation of this commandment. If we watch television for two or three hours a day, yet spent five or ten minutes in prayer, then television becomes our idol. This is true of much of our entertainment and diversions. We must spend time with God in order to truthfully say that we know, love and serve Him.

"Love God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength." Loving and honoring anyone or anything more than God is a violation of this commandment.

Have I failed to use the gifts God gave me properly, in moderation and for the good of others as well as myself? Have I loved God with all my mind, body and heart, avoiding sins of the mind and body—Inappropriate entertainment such as unclean movies, theatre, parties or books? Have I used my tongue for intemperance, scandal, gossip or slander?

Have I misused my body with sins of obesity, drunkenness, vanity, excesses in adornments, immodest dress? Do I give free reign to passions?

Did I use my mind for excessive desire for recognition and esteem of others, self-righteousness, unholy pursuits? "There is no pursuit or knowledge above the fear of the Lord."

Sins Against the Second Commandment

"You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain."

Failure to honor the name of God is a violation of this commandment. Being ashamed to mention His name among friends and associates, or failing to speak on behalf of God in difficult situations violates this commandment, Jesus said, "Anyone who denies me, I will deny before My Father in Heaven."

We sin against the second commandment by using impure speech, swearing, cursing, or using bad language.

Have I put my own name or reputation above God’s?

Do I speak His name for any reason other than a holy one: prayer? Have I called His name when I was not disposed to receive Him?

Have I mocked Him by beseeching Him for unholy and unworthy reasons?

Speaking His most Holy Name when we have no true desire to know, love and honor Him with our lives violates this commandment. This is to call His name in vain.

Sins Against the Third Commandment

"Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day."

As children of God we are asked to rest on Sunday. This rest gives honor to our Creator, who desires the proper care of our bodies, the temple of His Holy Spirit. Giving one day of the week back to God is an act of thanksgiving. This is a day for spiritual renewal and growth. It is a day given to the family. It is the day which provides balance in our lives, a time for reflection, self examination and forgiveness. It is also a day for worship and praise.

We may sin against this commandment in failing to give of our time and talents to God, to family and friends. Have we offended God by missing Mass, giving poor example to family members, especially children; by neglecting ours and their faith? Have I neglected my baptismal promises of overcoming sin and sharing the flame of love - the light which was entrusted to me?

Have I failed to pray, neglected the Sacraments, especially Penance and Eucharist?

We sin against this commandment when we fail to support the works and the needs of the Church; in failing to obey the Church’s teachings. Have I neglected reading the Scriptures or other spiritual books and devotions for my formation and that of my family?

Sins against the Fourth Commandment

"Honor your father and your mother."

God in heaven is our Father. His mother is our mother. To honor the Holy Family is the basis for keeping this commandment. These are the parents we are to imitate. Failing to live by their example is to sin against this commandment. To keep this commandment is to love one another.

We may sin against the fourth commandment by failing to live virtuous lives, by lacking respect and love for the Pope, the visible head of our earthly family and head of the mystical body of Christ.

Have I hated or rejected family members or avoided others?

Do I lack respect for myself or my children or parents?

Did I neglect the education and spiritual growth of family members? Have I failed in teaching my children to love God and neighbor, to live by the commandments and the faith of the Church?

Sins against this commandment include abusive behavior, criticism, anger, abandonment or neglect; the failure to communicate and share with family members; neglect of elderly or infirmed family members or neighbors.

Do I lack a spirit of self-sacrifice for the good of others, especially family members? Do I use irresponsible behavior, failing in my duties and obligations of marriage?

Have I disobeyed my parents or Church authority?

Have I failed to pray with my family or attend Mass and the Sacraments?

Was I unfaithful to my family through adultery or infidelity to my marriage?

Sins Against the Fifth Commandment

"You shall not kill."

A soul is a very delicate seed planted in each human being by our Creator-God. To preserve the life of the soul is the first lesson of this commandment. By giving bad example, by hatred, by being unforgiving or failing to teach our children the faith, by failing in love - these are all ways in which we can kill a soul.

When we block God’s graces and disobey His commandments we can kill our own soul. When we fail to fulfill God’s will for our lives, we are suffocating the life of our soul.

There are many ways in which we can kill human life: war, murder and abortion are obvious ways we kill. Neglecting the poor, the needy, the homeless, the sick and the suffering can also cause death.

When we neglect our own health or take risks with our lives or other’s lives, we violate this commandment. When we take part in anti-life activities we are taking part in killing.

Jesus is the Word of God, alive and active in the world. Attempting to destroy the Word of God is a violation of this commandment also. We do this by denying the Word in our schools and public places, by rejecting the scriptures, denying that Jesus, the Word Incarnate, was the Son of God, or by refusing to live the Word and give it life within our souls.

We may sin against life by harming or desiring the harm of others, when we injure others through thought, word or deed, and failing to live the Gospel of peace, failing to be peacemakers in all situations.

Have I opposed the rights of my neighbor? Failed to act for the spiritual and material welfare of my neighbor?

Have I committed willful murder, fighting, hatred, prejudice, anger, revenge, scandal or shown bad example? Have I failed to love?

Did I slander, gossip or use malicious talk or inappropriate behavior against others? Have I destroyed another’s good name or reputation?

Have I been involved in abortion, even by taking an inactive role? Did I prevent life by means of birth control?

When we practice birth control we take the responsibility for our lives out of the hands of God. We deny His providence, block His creating grace, and inhibit His creative authority. Preventing life is a form of destruction of life. It is also the triumph of our human passions and lust over God’s graces. This can easily lead to the murder of our own soul through pride and the practices of death.

Have I failed to repent of my sins and seek God’s forgiveness and mercy? Do I reject His sovereign authority in my life?

Sins Against the Sixth Commandment

"You shall not commit adultery."

This commandment demands fidelity in marriage, faithfulness to the marriage vows "until death do us part’, and purity in all forms. We are reminded that the purpose of sexual intercourse is procreation - our participation in God’s creative will. It is a right only given to married couples, to be used in the proper order of union and love.

To ‘adulterate’ means to mix a foreign substance into something which is pure. This commandment calls us to purity in all forms: purity of the mind, heart body and soul.

This command of God also demands the purity and integrity of the Gospel message and the true faith. The Church has guarded against heresy throughout its existence, maintaining the purity of the deposit of faith handed down by God through the Apostles.

We may sin against this commandment by willful impure thoughts and actions, by sexual relations beyond those proper to marriage, by premarital sex, masturbation, or lustful fantasy.

We adulterate our minds through pornographic materials, including materials and movies with impure themes.

Have I committed adultery or infidelity to my marriage vows? Have I sinned through immodest dress, behavior, attitude or thoughts? 

Have I adulterated the teachings of the Church or of the Gospels by mixing ideas which are contrary to the faith?

Did I corrupt my mind, heart, body or soul with harmful knowledge, passions, drugs, alcohol, harmful substances, or by sinning?

Sins Against the Seventh Commandment

"You shall not steal." This commandment calls us to honesty. When we are dishonest we steal. We steal from others and from ourselves. We rob ourselves of God’s graces, of His presence and love. God is the provider and caretaker of all His children. To steal from another is to steal from God.

When we fail to love our children or parents we rob them of love. When we fail to provide for the welfare of others, we rob them of quality of life. When we are selfish we become robbers. Robbers take and do not give. When we fail to give our very selves to God, we rob ourselves of the Kingdom, of His gifts.

We may sin against this commandment by stealing, by failing to satisfy our debts, by dishonest business practices, cheating (even on income taxes), or being irresponsible with our goods, in our work or in our studies.

Have I squandered my resources? Taken what does not belong to me? Been disrespectful of the property or rights of others?

Sins against the eighth Commandment

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

We are called to be witnesses of Christ, as living members of His body. When we fail to give witness to God by the rejection of His laws of love, we are false witnesses of our first neighbor who is God. When our lives proclaim ideals contrary to God and His Church, we are giving false witness. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." When we lie, when we are dishonest or false, we sin against the Holy Spirit, of whom Our Lord told the apostles "He will lead you in all truth." 

We may sin against this commandment by lying or being dishonest. Since God is truth, a lie, in any form, is always sinful.

Have I gossiped or slandered? Been deceitful? Failed to bear witness to the truth and to my faith?

Sins Against the Ninth Commandment

"You shall not covet your neighbors spouse."

Divorce is prohibited. The Jesus of the Gospels does not permit divorce. Even in the case of abandonment, the faithful partner is called to live a higher union with God through celibacy, remaining faithful to the marriage vow. (If you contemplate divorce, it is best to see a priest for guidance; not all marriages are made in Heaven)

This commandment also reminds us that we have been called to the "wedding banquet" with Christ. We are to be united to Him as a bride is united to her husband. This image is also applied to the Church. To desire union with another church or ideology would violate this call. To become, in a sense, ‘married’ to work or projects, and to fulfill our human wants with worldly things rather than with God, would violate our dependence on God. The Lord says, "I am a jealous God."

We may sin against this commandment by entertaining impure desires, especially by lusting after another’s spouse.

Have I neglected my duties of marriage and the love of my own spouse?

Do I desire union with sin, the world or evil, rather than with God?

Have I become obsessed with work or ideologies, or false gods.

Have I abandoned my faith to another faith, sought ways that are not of God, or accepted the wisdom and ways of the world?

Sins Against the Tenth Commandment

"You shall not covet your neighbors possessions."

The desire to possess at any price is an evil. This commandment calls us to moderate our desires. It also teaches us to be satisfied with what God has provided to us. To be unsatisfied leads us to want to control, to take charge of everything in our lives. This is a rejection of God’s providence and His timetable for our happiness and growth.

This commandment also cautions us to keep watch over our hearts, not to let inordinate desires crowd out love and charity. "For it is in giving that we receive."

We may sin against this commandment by desiring the possessions of others, by being impatient for things, or by not trusting in God’s providence, conforming our will to His will.

Have I placed all my hope in God alone?

Do I judge myself and others on material wealth?

Have I been selfish, lacking charity?

Do I lack humility, placing other’s needs before mine?

Chief Commandments or laws of the Church.

To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation.

To fast and abstain on the days appointed.

To confess our sins at least once a year.

To receive Penance and Holy Communion during Easter time.

To contribute to the support of the Church.

To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage.

Four sins crying out to Heaven for vengeance

Willful murder; abortion. 

The sin of Sodom. (Homosexuality; Lust)

Oppression of the poor.

Defrauding laborers of their wages.

The six sins against the Holy Spirit

Presumption of God’s mercy.

Despair.

Impugning the known truth.

Envy at another’s spiritual good.

Obstinacy in sin.

Final impenitence.

Nine ways of being accessory to another’s sin

By counsel.

By concealment.

By command.

By partaking.

By consent.

By silence.

By provocation.

By defense of the ill done.

By praise or flattery.

Capital sins, or Chief Sources of Sin

Pride: Excessive self-esteem

Covetousness: An inordinate desire for obtaining and possessing that which belongs to another.

Lust: A desire to gratify the senses; excessive sexual desire.

Anger: A strong feeling excited by a real or supposed injury.

Gluttony: The habit or act of eating too much.

Envy: A feeling of ill will because of another’s fortune or possessions; resentment.

Sloth: Laziness; idleness.

The chief corporal works of mercy

To pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

To feed the hungry.

To give drink to the thirsty.

To clothe the naked.

To visit the imprisoned.

To shelter the homeless.

To visit the sick.

To bury the dead.

Evangelical Counsels

Voluntary poverty.

Perpetual chastity.

Perfect obedience.

                                                         Contributed by a humble priest 

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