is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin.
It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.
It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense, it is also a “confession” — acknowledgment and praise — of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.
It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.”
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: “Be reconciled to God.” He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother.” (nn. 1423-1424; emphasis in original)
And, the Catechism goes on to say:
Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful. (n. 1458)
We become more like God as we walk with Him, as we walk where He calls us to walk.
A sincere confession always leads us toward a complete conversion, where the meaning of conversion is a change of one’s entire life, actions, and beliefs to line up with God’s will for us. For some, it’s a slight shift in the course we were on. For others, it’s a major change in direction, venturing into seemingly uncharted, and at times frightening waters. Slight or major, it’s what every saint has done (some, including Paul, Augustine, and Francis of Assisi, quite famously).
This isn’t to say conversion is just confessing mortal sins. (Although “just” that action is taking a tremendous step.) There’s a wider scope or spectrum to this. The Gospel speaks of “metanoia,” a change of mind and heart that every believer must seek — and live. “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).
What’s the Difference Between Penance and Repentance?
Penance always implies a renouncement, to give up something or put it aside voluntarily. It’s something we choose to do, not something we’re forced to do. (Again, free will plays a central role here.)
Give up what? Perhaps a small “creature comfort” (that daily latte). Put aside what? Maybe a (deeply ingrained) me-first attitude.
Why would we do something like that? Are we masochists? St. Paul has the answer:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are plain: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit [factions], envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Gal 5:16-25)
To use a modern idiom: We have to walk the talk! That, in a nutshell, is true repentance. That’s true metanoia.
Fortunately, blessedly, God is always kind, merciful, and generous. Our Creator knows what we need and He offers it to us (“offers” doesn’t force on us). He offers us grace through the sacrament of confession.
Here’s more of what Jesus told St. Faustina about confession:
Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that 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. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls. (1602)
How Do We Prepare for Confession?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
— 1 John 1:9
Not surprisingly, St. Faustina’s Diary includes descriptions of how she prepared to go to confession, advice on how we can better prepare to make a good confession, and comments on the sacrament in general. She wrote:
I will call to mind the Passion of Jesus at each confession, to arouse my heart to contrition. (225)
… I must pray for each of my confessors, that he might obtain the light of the Holy Spirit.… (647)
Concerning Holy Confession. We should derive two kinds of profit from Holy Confession:
1. We come to confession to be healed;
2. We come to be educated — like a small child, our soul has constant need of education.
O my Jesus, I understand these words to their very depths, and I know from my own experience that, on its own strength, the soul will not go far; it will exert itself greatly and will do nothing for the glory of God; it will err continually, because our mind is darkened and does not know how to discern its own affairs. I shall pay special attention to two things: firstly, I will choose, in making my confession, that which humiliates me most, even if it be a trifle, but something that costs me much, and for that reason I will tell it; secondly, I will practice contrition, not only during confession, but during every self-examination, and I will arouse within myself an act of perfect contrition, especially when I am going to bed. One more word: a soul which sincerely wants to advance in perfection must observe strictly the advice given by the spiritual director. There is as much holiness as there is dependence. (377)
St. Faustina’s Prayer to the Sacred Heart for Sinners
“O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude,
