Introduction

By the Most Reverend William S. SkylstadBishop of Spokane

Memories of celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation remain strong for all of us. I still can remember my first time going to confession. My mother would frequently remind all of us children in the family of the need to go to confession. It was a reminder we heeded, and one for which I’m grateful. Later, during my twelve years in the seminary, we had the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation twice a week, during study hall on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

In my years as a priest and bishop, the humbling role of serving as someone’s confessor leaves me profoundly inspired by those who confess their sins and failings as penitents. Addressing our holiness of life is always a great challenge, and we can never tell when people will allow the movement of the Spirit to bring them to this truly reconciling sacrament. I often wear clerical attire when I travel, and it’s not at all uncommon to pass through an airport and have someone approach me asking to go to confession.

The celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation has fallen off somewhat over recent years. Clearly, we need to rediscover the power of this sacrament in our lives. When we look a little more closely at the sacrament, it becomes clear how important it really is to our spiritual growth.

First, we need forgiveness. Every one of us is a sinner, and we know it. At the beginning of every Eucharist, we acknowledge our sinfulness and proclaim God’s mercy with one of several forms of the Penitential Rite. During the Our Father, we pray, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…." The redeeming and forgiving presence of Jesus is always with us. Again and again, we can return—yes, and we need to return—to the wonderful gift of this sacrament, seeking forgiveness and healing with a spirit of gratitude and joy.

Second, it is important to remember that there is always a communitarian aspect to our sinfulness. Whenever we do something positive, in some small way we uplift the entire community of faith and the world

about us. But the opposite is also true. Whenever I sin, the quality of the spiritual life of the community surrounding me is somewhat diminished. The second rite for the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation is the communal rite, including individual confession and absolution of our sins. As we gather in that setting to celebrate the sacrament, we see our solidarity: with one another as sinners, and in our need for forgiveness. Our churches have specific rooms for the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation. Those spaces are a visible sign to every member of the community.

Third, we need to recognize the full reality of our lives, sins and all. The preparation that we need to celebrate the sacrament assists us in dealing with the spiritual blindness, sinfulness, and dehumanizing patterns that confound our spiritual journey. Whenever we celebrate the sacrament with our confessor, we must take time aside beforehand to assess the condition of our soul. We must ask ourselves, in truth and integrity: For what do I need to be forgiven? This time we spend in the examination of our conscience is truly a time of honesty, grace and blessing.

Fourth, the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation keeps us humble. Everyone, from the pope to the rest of us in the pews, needs to confess sins. At a recent meeting of the bishops, we have scheduled an afternoon of prayer and reflection. Almost always during those times, there is an opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. Usually this happens during a Holy Hour. One after another, the bishops rise and go to a station, where a confessor waits to celebrate the sacrament. I find it moving to see that common acknowledgment, all of us approaching the celebration of the sacrament as a need in our own lives.

I often wonder: If we celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation more regularly, might not our Catholic family better address our anger, our shortcomings, and our struggles? There is a healing grace from the sacrament. The celebration of the sacrament is an intense form of prayer and encounter with the Lord Jesus. And it is clear to me that if we respond regularly to the sacrament, our call to holiness will be better appreciated and answered.

May we always rejoice in God’s mercy and forgiveness, extended to us in the sacrament of reconciliation! That mercy and forgiveness have power without end in our lives. Thanks be to God!