Confession - Channelling

life4seekers homepage - Channelling - Confession

Sometimes we all do things we are ashamed of and at times, are gravely wrong. We are all human and none of us are free from choosing the selfish or even harmful way. These actions can leave us feeling angry, guilty, ashamed, amongst many other negative emotions. Catholics have access to a spiritual channel which brings healing and liberation from all this baggage.

Catholics believe that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful channel of supernatural life. Its effects are to liberate people from all the negative baggage they might be carrying as a result of things they regret and have done wrong. The wrong things we consciously do are called Sins.

Sin is defined as an offence against God through our thoughts, words, actions, and things we don't do that we should have done. The seven principle sins are: pride, covetousness (a longing to possess), lust, anger, gluttony (greed), envy and sloth (laziness).

When we commit these sins, they have the effect of robbing us of spiritual strength and make us feel sad and unhappy. They can really wear us down and wound us from the inside out.

Cartoon image of a thief


	"The Sacrament of Reconciliation - it's the best therapy you can ever have. And it's free! It doesn't cost you anything." Father Stan Fortuna CFR, speaking at the Youth 2000 Summer Youth Festival, 1999.

Pause for thought - Image of a mountain through a tree

What things weigh you down that you regret and that you'd like to be freed from?

Your guide for this section is Lloyd. He is 56, and lives in London. Click here to read his story.

Image of a car boot full to the brim with luggage

God, through a Catholic priest, forgives a person in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The priest acts as God’s special forgiving representative.

Catholics are encouraged to receive this channel, which is sometimes called “Confession”, at least once a year (many go monthly). No one else is in the room (confessional box) when they go except the priest. The Catholic then names the things they would like to be forgiven of.

In turn, Catholics are called to forgive people in their own lives who may have wronged them in some way.

The priest is sworn to absolute secrecy and he will NEVER EVER tell a living person what has been said. Before the person leaves the room the priest says the prayers of forgiveness (called Absolution). The person is forgiven and is spiritually cleansed and liberated and begins life again with a clean slate.

The conditions for receiving this channel of liberation, healing and spiritual cleansing are:

That the person is truly sorry for what they have done.

That they actually go to a priest and receive the prayers of absolution.

That they do a penance – this is given by the priest and is normally to say a short prayer.

That they make a firm purpose of amendment – a sincere promise to God that, with his help, they are going to try to not sin again.

Provided you are truly sorry, EVERYTHING can be forgiven!

[Read on? Books/links - Click here for more]

Channelling:

Confession.
Life4seekers response

This is a website of the Catholic Enquiry Office; part of an Agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales

^^ back to top

Life4seekers highlights: what's the meaning of life? | The Passion | spirituality & prayer | guides and seekers stories

life4seekers homepage | frequently asked questions | downloads | find out more about the Catholic Enquiry Office | website designed by IMDC