Sacraments

Sacrament of Penance

The Sacrament of Penance is also known as the ‘Sacrament of Reconciliation’ or traditionally called ‘Confession’. It is the rite by which sins are confessed and forgiven. Sin is a failure to recognise and love God in the way we think or act. Sin is also not just a failure to love God directly but also a failure to love one another. When we confess our sins, we exercise the gift of our own free will choosing to tell God that we have wronged Him and seeking to restore our relationship with Him. The priest, serving in the person of Christ, advances Jesus’ ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation in this sacrament.

Celebrations of the Sacrament

The sacrament of Penance is available to all who wish to avail of the sacrament. To make arrangements please contact the priest of the parish. On a regular basis a communal celebration of the sacrament is organised in the cluster of parishes in the city.

First Penance

Children who are preparing for First Holy Communion also prepare and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. Preparation for the sacrament is undertaken in school, home and in the parish.

Dear friends, celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation means being enfolded in a warm embrace: it is the embrace of the Father’s infinite mercy.

— General Audience | 19 February 2014