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Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Penance also commonly called the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, in which the faithful are absolved from sins committed after baptism and reconciled with the Christian community. During reconciliation mortal sins must be confessed and venial sins may be confessed for devotional reasons.

Need for Reconciliation

Our frail human nature suffers many different types of breakdowns; some are physical in nature, but many more are breakdowns in our relationships with God and others. These breakdowns in our relationships, all of which involve a turning away from God, are called sin and require recognition of the fault and some process of restoring the relationship with whoever was wronged. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that sins are evaluated according to their gravity. Sins may either be mortal or venial, as is evident in Scripture. Mortal sin involves a grave violation of God’s law. Venial sin involves a lesser violation that nonetheless offends charity in the heart of man. (CCC, 1854)

What is the Sacrament Called?

We refer here to Reconciliation, but the sacrament has many names. Understanding the various names helps in our understanding of the tremendous benefits that this sacrament brings to those who open their hearts to receive it.

  • It 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 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” (2 Cor 5:20). He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go, first be reconciled to your brother.” (CCC,1423-24, citing Mt 5:24)

Effects of the Sacrament

The Church reminds us that sins are not only personal but also communal in nature. Thus, this sacrament is at once individual and communal and is celebrated in both forms for the benefit of the person and the community. This rite provides a deeper sense of God’s love and mercy that acknowledges our desire for forgiveness and reconciliation with those whom we have harmed. It is through this action that we renew ourselves and continue our journey of conversion and commitment to living the Gospel message. “The whole power of the sacrament … consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship (CCC 1468)

Seeking the Sacrament

The Church recommends frequent confession of sins, even venial sins, because this helps us to form our consciences, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. (CCC, 1458) The best way to prepare yourself to receive the sacrament is to make an examination of conscience in the Light of the Word of God. “The passages best suited to this can be found in the Ten Commandments, the moral catechesis of the Gospels and the apostolic Letters, such as the Sermon on the Mount and apostolic teaching.” (CCC, 1454)

How to Make a GOOD Confession

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, brings about a change of heart through God’s mercy and forgiveness. Experience the Lord’s compassion through the Sacrament of Penance, which is made up of the following parts:

Make a GOOd Confession

Confession is not difficult, but it does require preparation. We should begin with prayer, placing ourselves in the presence of God, our loving Father. We seek healing and forgiveness through repentance and a resolve to sin no more. Then we review our lives since our last confession, searching our thoughts, words and actions for that which did not conform to God’s command to love Him and one another through His laws and the laws of His Church. This is called an examination of conscience.

To make an examination of conscience:

  1. Begin with a prayer asking for God’s help.
  2. Review your life with the help of some questions, which are based on the 10 Commandments (see below).
  3. Tell God how truly sorry you are for your sins.
  4. Make a firm resolution not to sin again.

Examination of Conscience

Ask God to help you make a good confession. In quiet reflection ask yourself: Since my last confession…

  1. Did I pray to God, daily and from my heart?
  2. Did I live and witness to my Catholic faith, joyfully & courageously? Did I take God’s name in vain? Did I curse anyone or make false oaths? Did I engage in superstitious or occult practices?
  3. Did I attend and participate actively at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation? Did I fast & abstain on prescribed days?
  4. Did I respect people in authority? My employer? Did I honor my parents?
  5. Was I violent or unnecessarily aggressive (e.g., physically, verbally, psychologically, etc.) with anyone?
  6. Was I prideful, stubborn, or rude with anyone? Did I hold a grudge?
  7. Did I abuse alcohol, prescription medications, or illegal drugs? Did I overindulge in food?
  8. Did I consent to, recommend, advise, or actively take part in an abortion? Did I use abortifacient drugs?
  9. Did I view pornography, entertain lustful thoughts, conversations or actions?
  10. Was I unloving to my spouse? Did I engage in adulterous activity (e.g., sexual, emotional, virtual, etc.)? Did I use contraceptives?

During Confession

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) involves four steps:

  • Contrition: A sincere sorrow for having offended God, and the most important act of the person confessing. There can be no forgiveness of sin if we do not have sorrow and a firm resolve not to repeat our sin.
  • Confession: Naming our sins—aloud—to the priest, who represents Christ and the Church.
  • Penance: The prayers—or sometimes, the good deeds—the priest gives, for our healing and the healing of those we have hurt by our sins.
  • Absolution: The words the priest speaks by which “God, the Father of mercies” reconciles us to himself through his death and resurrection, called the Prayer of Absolution: “God the father of mercies through the death and resurrection of his Son as reconciled the world to himself and the sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Going to Confession

Reconciliation may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between you and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.

  1. The priest gives a blessing or greeting.
  2. Make the Sign of the Cross and say, “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give weeks, months, or years).
  3. Confess all your sins to the priest. (If you are unsure or uneasy, tell him and ask for help.)
  4. Say, “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
  5. The priest gives a penance and offers advice to help you become a better Catholic Christian.
  6. Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins.
  7. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the occasions of sin. Amen

After Confession

Rejoice! You have received the forgiveness of Christ! What should you do when you leave? Remember the words you recited in the Act of Contrition: “I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the occasions of sin.”


Before you leave the confessional, the priest will give you your penance, which may consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy or sacrifices. These works help to join us with Christ, who alone died for us. The goal of our life’s journey is to grow closer to God. We can do this through prayer, spiritual reading, fasting and the reception of the Sacraments.

Confession Times

Be Part of Our Faith Family

For more information about the Sacrament of Pennance and Reconciliation, visit our parish office on 1st Floor at Cardinal Otunga Annex or contact the parish office on Tel: +254 712 311 394 or drop an email info@holyfamilybasilica.org

Holy Family Basilica

P.O. Box 40891 – 00100, Nairobi

0712 311 394