Confession
Catholics can receive the Sacrament of Confession either privately behind a screen, or face-to-face with the priest.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation consists of a good examination of conscience. This examination, guided by the Ten Commandments, prepares us to confess sins to the priest.
Confession presumes the penitent is truly sorry with a firm resolve not to sin again.
Confession, also know as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy to offer sinners forgiveness for offences against God, and against our sisters and brothers. Confession brings reconciliation between God and the penitent, between the penitent and others, and to the individual penitent.
There is a copy of the Examination of Conscience available at the back of each church, or alternatively, you will find a copy here:
For Children
Examination-of-Conscience-for-Children.pdf (stmarylourdes.org)
For Adults and teenagers
2020Examination.pdf (fathersofmercy.com)
It is often useful to pray to the Holy Spirit asking for guidance and enlightenment to realise what sins you may have committed before starting an Examination of Conscience.
Pray for your priest before confession, that they will be able to give you guidance and advice.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available in the parish each week at the following times:
Our Lady of Lincoln and St Guthlac RC Church Deeping St James
Each Wednesday from 9.30 am* to 10.15 am, prior to Holy Mass.
Sacred Heart and St Gilbert’s RC Church Bourne
Each Thursday morning, following Mass at approximately 10.45 am* until 11.35 am. During Adoration.
Each Saturday morning for one hour, following 9.30 am* Mass, usually concluding at 11.15 am.
*Please always check the most recent week’s newsletter to confirm these times, as they can be subject to change.
**If these times are not convenient, the parish priest is available to hear your Confession. Please call him to arrange a mutually agreeable time.
Who can forgive sins?
God alone can forgive sins. Jesus could say “Your sins are forgiven” (Mk 2:5) only because He is the Son of God. And priests can forgive sins in Jesus’ place only because Jesus has given them that authority.
People often say, I can go directly to God; why do I need a priest?”
God wants it otherwise. We rationalise our sins away and like to sweep things under the carpet. That is why God wants us to tell our sins and to acknowledge them in a personal encounter. Therefore, the following words from the Gospel are true of priests: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20.23)
How often do I need to go to Confession?
Catholics are required to receive the Sacrament at least once per year. However, if you are aware of having committed any mortal (serious) sin, you should receive the Sacrament as soon as possible, and before you receive the Eucharist. That being said, all are encouraged to take advantage of the Sacrament on a regular and frequent basis. Frequent reception helps us keep aware of our spiritual progress and provides the grace to overcome our sins. (Source: cbcew.org.uk)
If you are nervous about going to Confession, or you have not received the Sacrament for some time, then speak to the parish priest. He will be happy to help and guide you.
“God esteems repentance so highly that the slightest repentance in the world, as long as it is genuine, causes him to forget any kind of sin, so that even the devils would have all their sins forgiven, if only they could have remorse”
St. Francis de Sales (1567 – 1622)
If you have not received the Sacrament previously, please speak to the parish priest to discuss the preparation needed to receive this Sacrament.
