As Catholics, we have a unique opportunity to seek peace and grace in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Henri Nouwen writes, “This [sacrament] calls us to let go of old hurts in the Name of God.” A regular practice of confessing and being absolved is something that has changed not only my relationship with God and myself, but also with others in my life. When I am in the practice of reflecting on how my actions have done harm, I am more conscientious about the damage of sin on relationships of all kinds.
Comment below with your thoughts:
Do you seek Reconciliation regularly? When can you find time to seek the grace of Absolution?
or, simply answer:
Did you pray today?
16 Comments
Ann-Marie
January 2, 2017 at 5:33 amI prayed this morning. This post is reminding me for the need of a nightly examination of conscience.
Linda
January 3, 2017 at 9:07 amI’m learning to navigate my way through the website and am a little late in posting—> I have spent intentional time in prayer. So grateful for this site and the community of women united together through Christ!
Emily DeArdo
January 2, 2017 at 7:16 amI try to go to confession once a month–I made pretty good progress with that last year. So I’m going to see if I can continue it this year and maybe change it up and go twice a month, every two weeks, which is my ultimate goal.
Sarah
January 2, 2017 at 7:50 amI pray at bedtime and in the AM. I rarely miss. It’s wouldn’t be a day without both. I am grateful to all the women who write for Blessed is She as their thoughts help me with prayer.
I may only go to Confession once a year, in Lent for my Easter obligation, but each time, I remember what was said to me and the circumstances of the occasion. I like it.
Jane
January 2, 2017 at 11:18 amI have a strong morning practice of prayer, now I need to incorporate evening. As for reconciliation, I’m not a full convert so I am unable to partake… It is something I deeply desire to do when I do convert. I look forward to enjoying all the sacraments.
Blessed is She
January 7, 2017 at 4:51 pmWe are praying for you, Jane!
Nicole
January 2, 2017 at 5:13 pmGoing to confession is something I need to work on this year. My goal this year is to go to confession monthly.
I’m also trying to pray the rosary daily!
Katie
January 2, 2017 at 8:53 pmI used to dread going to confession. During high school retreats… it was the part I disliked the most. During college, I had an amazing confessor who really made me feel comfortable like God was welcoming me back to Him in His arms. Although not every priest gives you the warm and fuzzies- God still sees you trying and running back to Him. He touches your heart and changes your soul.
Candy Hartmann
January 2, 2017 at 9:40 pmI go to Reconciliation a least once a month. I did pray today. I use the Magnificat for morning, evening and night prayers. I also said a rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Sarah
January 2, 2017 at 9:48 pmThough I am not good at regularly going to reconciliation, I always feel a warm sense of peace afterwards. This post is definitely a good reminder and gentle nudge that I should set aside time this month to go. Thanks for the encouragement, sisters. Many prayers for you all 🙂
Peace, Sarah
Bernadette
January 3, 2017 at 6:46 amI have made a practice of morning prayer. I awake and begin with a prayer to the Holy Spirit. This has been my practice for several,years and it has enriched my faith.
When I find I have trouble sleeping, I pray for others thinking maybe God has kept me awake because someone in my life is struggling. As I go through those most dear to me, praying for their needs, I fall asleep peacefully.
Reconciliation? I go once a year. I sometimes feel a “nudging” to go more frequently but I don’t know what to confess. Mostly my sins are the same habitual sins of impatience or finding fault too easily in others. Maybe I need to pray for guidance and a better examination of conscience. Just reflecting on this question has opened up a need to look deeper within.
Abi
January 3, 2017 at 7:21 amWhen I used to do youth ministry on Wednesday nights, we would take our group of girls to Reconciliation once a month. As a mom of two (now three) little ones, it was a welcome retreat to have that time built in to my schedule. It’s definitely been harder to get to Reconciliation since I am taking a break from that ministry for the time being. I always try to use the word “Reconciliation” when referring to this sacrament- it takes the focus off of me doing the action of confessing, and puts the focus on the end result- receiving God’s grace and being restored into a right relationship with Him.
Megan Cahill-Assenza
January 4, 2017 at 11:17 amI have begun to seek reconciliation regularly. It took me some time to understand what confession was about. At first I would feel awful confessing my sins and not feel too comfortable after confession either. I shook the feeling off after.
The more I talked to the woman who brought me and introduced me to Christ about confession the more I became comfortable about the practice of reconciliation. When acknowledging your sins, you are really sitting in front of and speaking to Jesus, not the priests because God is using the priests as vessels. We are asking for forgiveness and love from God. Why would you not go.
With anything that is uncomfortable, the more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes. Now, within these last few months since making communion and confirmation, I do not have any negative feelings going to confession. I honestly acknowledge my sins and I feel the love and grace that God bestows upon me. The feeling is undesirable, but my heart and soul is touched by God.
Megan Cahill-Assenza
January 4, 2017 at 11:19 amThere were typos in my first Post!
I have begun to seek reconciliation regularly. It took me some time to understand what confession was about. At first I would feel awful confessing my sins and not feel too comfortable after confession either. I shook the feeling off after.
The more I talked to the woman who brought me and introduced me to Christ about confession the more I became comfortable about the practice of reconciliation. When acknowledging your sins, you are really sitting in front of and speaking to Jesus, not the priests because God is using the priests as vessels. We are asking for forgiveness and love from God. Why would you not go.
With anything that is uncomfortable, the more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes. Now, within these last few months since making communion and confirmation, I do not have any negative feelings going to confession. I honestly acknowledge my sins and I feel the love and grace that God bestows upon me. The feeling is describable, but my heart and soul is touched by God.
Blessed is She
January 7, 2017 at 4:52 pmThis is such a lovely reflection, Megan!
Megan Cahill-Assenza
January 7, 2017 at 5:13 pmThank you Blessed Is She <3