The Importance of Sacrament of Penance

Why should we take the Sacrament of Penance?

So we can cleanse the stain of sins by receiving absolution from the Priest which restore or increase of our Sanctifying Grace. While we are living in this world, we must live a holy life. But the devil will always tempt us to sin from venial to mortal. We don’t know when we are going to leave this world, and if the time has come and we confess and received absolution, there’s a greater chance that we go to Heaven or in purgatory to cleanse the stain of sins that remains in our soul before we die. That is why in the previous centuries before Vatican II, there is a Priest in every battle or war, so the soldiers can take a Sacrament of Confession, attend a Holy Mass and also a chance to receive Extreme Unction. But while we are living, after confession we must repent and never to sin again.

Why there is a confession before the Holy Mass?

To receive our Lord in the form of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, we must be in the state of grace. It is improper to receive him, while there’s a stain of sin in our body and soul. Sadly, the lack of confession before the Mass in some churches makes other people receive our Lord improperly. And because the lack of Catechism, most of the faithful do not know that we must be worthy to receive our Lord with the help of the Sacrament of Confession. The center of the Holy Mass is the Holy Eucharist, it is important to receive Him when you attend the Holy Mass.

How often should we take the Sacrament of Penance?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we must receive this Sacrament once a year. But if you are making a grave sin, you must immediately receive this sacrament. Though Venial sins are not recommended to confess, it is also important to confess it. But there are Popes and Saints who recommend to confess frequently such as Pope Pius XII and St. Padre Pio who recommend it once a week.

Brethren, confessing our sin is an action that never ashamed us. It gives us courage to admit our mistakes, to correct it and to never sin again. By receiving this sacrament, we are worthy to receive our Lord because He became man without the original sin and died without any stain of sin. Instead, He died for us so he will cleanse our original sin and cleanse our mortal and venial sin by this sacrament.