However, the value of celebrating this Sacrament should not be underestimated. It is for this reason that the Catholic Church requires that Catholics conscious of a grave sin should receive this Sacrament at least once a year.

Why? Well, there are a number of reasons. In the scriptures we read that after Jesus had risen from the dead he appeared to his disciples, and said: “Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven” (John 20:23). We believe that this gift “to forgive” was handed on from the disciples to their successors, the priests. We believe that the priest, acting in the person of Jesus Christ, has the authority to forgive sins.

These words of forgiveness spoken by the priest have a strong impact on us, because they make God’s action concrete. Think of it this way: we may believe our spouse or our parents love us, but if if they never told us or expressed it in some physical way, it might be difficult for us to accept it as true. Or what if you hurt the feelings of a friend? You might think, well that person knows I love them, so I don’t really need to say, “I’m sorry”. But the act of admitting your sorrow in words, whilst very hard, will much more effectively enable healing and reconciliation in your relationship.

And so it is with the sacrament of Reconciliation. It is of course a humbling experience. No one enjoys admitting their failings. Saying our sins “out loud” can be very tough. However, it is this action and the healing and comforting words that come from Jesus through the words of the priest, that confirm in our heart and mind that we have indeed been forgiven.