At Divine Mercy Parish, we are committed to providing opportunities for more and more people to experience Jesus' mercy in this essential and life-changing Sacrament. St. Faustina, the Patron Saint of Divine Mercy, made it clear how sincerely Jesus desires to forgive us of our sins. This opportunity is available at Divine Mercy every weekend.

Schedule for Confessions:

• Saturday: 3 p.m.-3:45 p.m. (at both SEAS and NOL)
• En Español: 5:45 p.m.-6:15 p.m. (Sitio NOL)
• Sunday: 30 minutes before each Mass (at both SEAS and NOL)

Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance (also known as Confession or Reconciliation) in John 20:15-16:

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Understanding the Sacrament

Confession is a sacrament we all need, but it is one that not many people actively desire. The Church calls us to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation once a year, as a minimum. However, it is a sacrament which gives grace and helps us to build up our will to avoid future sin and as such, should be received as often as necessary. Pope John Paul II, for instance, received confession once a week!

To encourage the frequent reception of confession, examine the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke's Gospel, Ch. 15, v. 11-32.

This story illustrates the soul's movement from being within the father's graces, through the drama of sin, into the beautiful moment of confession. Notice that, after the son repents, the father throws a banquet. This is what happens with confession. After we confess, we are welcomed back to the Eucharistic banquet. Sin separates us from God by our own choosing. Confession is the action where God, like the father of the prodigal son, looks out for us on the horizon. He is waiting for us every week in the confessional and wants to embrace us there with his mercy, love, and forgiveness!

Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans talks about confession during Lent this year:

Recommended Reading

• From The Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Sacrament of Pennance
• How To Make a Good Confession
• The Early Church Fathers on Confession