During Christian history the Sacrament of Penance has also been called reconciliation either confessionbut finally the three sacraments they refer to the same thing.
Unlike traditional trials, in divine trials, the sinner should not be frightened but grateful, because the judge in the Sacrament of Penance It is God, and thanks to him, who confesses his sins is not condemned but acquitted.
The confession It is a source of grace helps us fight our weaknessesgives us strength to overcome sin and never fall back on it.
What is Penance?
Is he sacrament whereby all sins committed after the baptismare acquitted by God through the priestoffering in the believer a new conversion opportunity, purification and a life full of grace.
The Sacrament of Penance It has several steps in its realization:
- The reconciliation it is the examination of conscience remembering one’s own sins.
- The repentance or also called act of contrition It is the action of acknowledging that God has been offended, with the firm intention of not sinning again.
- The confession it is the brief, sincere and complete manifestation of the sins before the priest.
- The absolution it is the forgiveness of sins by the priest with the authorization of Jesus Christ, strengthening trust and hope in God.
- The satisfaction It is the act of penance imposed by the priest to repair the damage caused by sin.
The Sacrament of Penance must be headset, individual and secretsince the sacramental seal prevents the priest from unveiling any confession.
East sacrament It represents the best way to receive mercy, the gifts of heaven and God’s forgiveness.