Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The sacrament of Penance is a powerful means of restoring our relationship with God, bringing us back to his grace and intimate friendship. For those who receive it with contrite hearts, it is usually followed by peace, serenity of conscience, and strong spiritual consolation. It brings a true spiritual resurrection, restoring the dignity and blessings of life as God’s children. It also reconciles us with the Church, repairing the fraternal communion damaged by sin and strengthening the whole Body of Christ through the communion of saints. In this sacrament, we place ourselves before God’s merciful judgment and are encouraged to choose the path of conversion, penance, and faith that leads from death to life. While grave sin deprives us of communion with God, every sin involves an unhealthy attachment that needs purification. As we patiently bear trials, practice mercy and charity, pray, and embrace penance, we can accept this purification as grace and seek to put off the old self and put on the new.

In the journey of faith, no Christian seeks holiness alone: in Christ, each of God’s children is joined to all other Christians in the unity of the Mystical Body. The communion of saints unites the faithful in heaven, those being purified, and pilgrims on earth in a lasting bond of charity and an abundant exchange of spiritual goods. The Church’s treasury is not material wealth, but the inexhaustible value of Christ’s merits, together with the prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. Through the Church’s ministry, indulgences draw on this treasury for the remission of temporal punishment due to sin and encourage works of devotion, penance, and charity; they may also be obtained for the faithful departed who are being purified. The sacrament of Penance is a liturgical and ecclesial action in which Christ personally forgives, heals, raises up, and restores sinners to communion. Individual, integral confession and absolution are the ordinary way the faithful are reconciled with God and the Church.