One of the greatest practices that can help us to grow in holiness is the habit of going to the Sacrament of Confession [Reconciliation] on a regular and frequent basis. Many Saints and Popes of the Church have recommended frequent confession:
- Pope Pius XII: “For a constant and speedy advancement in the path of virtue we highly recommend the pious practice of frequent confession, introduced by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; for by this means we grow in a true knowledge of ourselves and in Christian humility, bad habits are uprooted, spiritual negligence and apathy are prevented, the conscience is purified and the will strengthened, salutary spiritual direction is obtained and grace is increased by the efficacy of the sacrament itself.”
When someone asked Pope John Paul II what he meant when he recommended frequent confession, he said: “I mean at least once a month.” And how many of us can really remember what our sins were months or years ago? We tend to forget many of them, and yet they are wounds to our immortal souls, wounds that cannot heal themselves – we need to bring them to Jesus, our Divine Healer.
Members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy strive to make a practice of frequent confession – at least once a month – so that we are truly open to the healing power and Divine Mercy of our Lord Jesus, so that we can be forgiven of our sins, uproot and eliminate our bad habits, and grow in the Christian virtues. We come to confession often, not to be fixated on our sins, but so that we can be truly free to live the Christian life, to let Jesus Christ live and work in us, to transform us in His Divine Love and Mercy.