Boston, Mass., Feb 3, 2010 / 01:01 am
Seeking to promote the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Archdiocese of Boston has launched a new website about how to make a good confession. Its priests will also offer confessions in every chapel and church on Wednesdays during Lent.
The website, www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org, describes how to prepare for confession with an examination of conscience. It also provides an act of contrition to recite before absolution.
Auxiliary Bishop of Boston Robert F. Hennessey recorded a video message on the website. In the video, he quotes Jesus as saying that Heaven rejoices more for one repentant sinner than for 99 that never needed to repent.
“Every time that someone returns to the Sacrament of Confession, Heaven celebrates. And that unbelievable experience of joy becomes ours when we are forgiven.”
The bishop also invoked the Parable of the Prodigal Son, saying it describes what happens in confession.
“We who are dead to sin are brought back to life again,”
“The priest sees the tremendous joy and relief that people experience in being freed from their sins,” he added. “Confession is one of our greatest gifts from God.”
The bishop explained he goes to confession frequently not only to confess what he has done wrong, but to receive “the grace to become a better disciple.”
“Confession gives us the chance to start over… It shows how forgiving and kind our God is.”
Those in confession will “deepen their friendship with Jesus” and experience “spiritual healing,” he continued.
Bishop Hennessey emphasized that God’s love is greater than any individual’s sins and no one should think he or she is beyond help.
The archdiocese’s confession website also provides other videos, parish resources and links to writings on confession authored by popes and bishops.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley and Bishop Hennessey have encouraged Catholics to invite others to Reconciliation. The archdiocese suggests going to parishes as a family or as a group, forwarding links to www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org via e-mail and Facebook, and personally inviting at least five family members and friends to confession.
The archdiocese also asks for prayers for the success of the initiative and also asks Catholics to thank priests for their involvement.
Every parish and chapel in the Archdiocese of Boston will have confession on the Wednesdays of Lent from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.