Penance

"Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation." Catechism of the Catholic Church 1440

"Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. the Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as "the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace." Catechism of the Catholic Church 1446

The sacrament of Penance is also known as Reconciliation and Confession, among other names. (There is an explanation of some of these names in the Catechism’s section on the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Although often called Reconciliation in common usage, the term “penance” best describes the essential interior disposition required for this sacrament.

In fact, there is a virtue of penance. This is a supernatural virtue by which we are moved to detest our sins from a motive made known by faith, and with an accompanying purpose of offending God no more and of making satisfaction for our sins. In this sense the word “penance” is synonymous with “penitence” or “repentance.”

Before the time of Christ the virtue of penance was the only means by which people’s sins could be forgiven. Even today, for those outside the Church in good faith, not possessing the sacrament of Penance, it is the only means for forgiveness of sins.

We first celebrate Penance when we are preparing to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time to reflect preparing us best to receive the very presence of God to enter us and meet us in the Eucharist. As such we first celebrate this sacrament (in our parish) from the age of 8 (school year 4+). Applications are normally available from late August until mid-October for First Confession and First Holy Communion to take place in the next year.

If you require help making a good confession, you can find a useful examination of conscience here. Outside our confessionals we have little cards to help you with the Rite, do use these to prepare, and if you need bring them with you to confession. Do not fear going to confession, all Catholics must make a confession at least once a year, it is something we all do to be in communion with God and with each other (the church).