Videos

The Top 3 Reasons That I Became Catholic.....and Always will Be

The Top 3 Reasons That I Became Catholic.....and Always will Be

This is a beautiful story of Dr. Bergsma's conversion to the Catholic Church. Dr. Bergsma relates how he had a desire to go to Confession one day and pulled into the local Catholic Church. Not unusual for those who are Catholic, but for Dr Bergsma, who was a Protestant minister at the time, it was definitely out of the ordinary.

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Articles

Examination of Conscience Using the Beatitudes

Presenter
Publisher
Clumsy Theosis

Looking for a different way to examine your conscience? Using the Beatitudes is a wonderful tool to see how we are not living up to the Lord's standards. "Am I gentle with others or am I harsh?" "Do I truly yearn for God's Will to be done, in my life and in all things?" " Do I love purity and honesty?" These probing questions and more are in this beautiful examination.

Examinations

A Guided Examination of Conscience

This Examination of Conscience is a wonderful tool that can be used every time you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One good word of advice: Make sure you pray before you prepare.
Presenter
Publisher
Father Mark-Mary
Ascension Press

Fr Mark-Mary walks you through the Ten Commandments in a way which enables you to go deeper into your examination before going to Confession. The questions he asks are helpful to anyone who desires to more thoroughly prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Videos

Why Confess Your Sins to a Priest? | Made For Glory

Fr. Michael Nixon continues discussing why going to Confession is helpful.
Presenter
Publisher
Fr. Michael Nixon
uCatholic

Fr. Michael Nixon discusses the authority of priests to offer forgiveness of sins through the ministry of the Church.

Jesus gave His disciples the power to forgive sins when He breathed His Spirit on them after the Resurrection. Through apostolic succession, each priest has the same power entrusted to him. This gift was given to the Church so that the forgiveness of Christ can go out to the whole world.

Through this power and authority of Jesus, we are absolved of our sins. Reconciliation between us and God and the community is obtained.

Key Takeaways

  • Christ established the Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring forgiveness to the world.
  • Priests represent Christ.
  • Authority to forgive sins is lived in and through the priest.
  • One person's sins affect the whole body of Christ.

Questions

  1. Do you believe in the authority of priests to forgive your sins?
  2. Why is going to a priest to confess your sins different than just saying them to yourself?
  3. What do you think of the reality that our sins harm the Body of Christ?
Examinations

Bulldog Catholic examination of Conscience

Complete Examination of Conscience to help prepare you to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Presenter
Publisher
Bulldog Catholic

This Examination of Conscience is very thorough covering:

Making an Examination of Conscience

The difference between mortal and venial sin

The Ten Commandments

The precepts of the Church

How to go to Confession

Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding Confession

Quotes from Saints on Confession

Pope Francis on Confession

Videos

Why Confess Your Sins to a Priest (Part 2) | Made for Glory

Fr. Michael Nixon continues discussing why going to Confession is helpful.
Presenter
Publisher
Fr. Michael Nixon
uCatholic

In Fr. Nixon's first video on Confession, he explains where the authority of the sacrament originated. Jesus has the power to forgive sins and He passes this ability on to His priests. In this video he examines some particulars of the sacrament.

A priest may never break the seal of Confession. He is forbidden to discuss any particulars of what he has been told by the penitent. He assures us that priests do not remember the sins they have been told. After hearing many Confessions, a priest will not be scandalized by our sins.

In Confession we name what we have done. Declaring it out loud is in an important step in the healing process. The wound has been opened and can now be cured.

Key Takeaways

  • Your sins are not that interesting.
  • The priest rejoices with those who are coming to the sacrament.
  • We are good at deceiving ourselves, that's why it's important to confess our sins.
  • When we claim our sins, God can bring His grace, His mercy and His healing to our soul.
  • When we hide our sins they fester.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Have you ever been healed of a sin you were afraid to confess and felt the relief afterwards?
  2. Did you realize how serious the seal of Confession is for a priest?
  3. Are there things in your life you blame others for, but you know they are a result of your own failings?
Videos

Confession is a Place of Victory

In this moving video, Fr. Mike Schmitz recounts his love for the Sacrament and the victory it is for those who receive the Mercy of God in Confession.
Presenter
Publisher
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Ascension Presents

Confession is not a place of sadness. It is one of the most joyful places in the world. First, you get to experience God's mercy and the love that God gave to us through the cross. Second, it is a place where people are striving to grow in holiness.

Fr. Mike iterates that the priest does not remember your sins. Sins are not fascinating, but PEOPLE are fascinating. Sins are boring. God is more interested in you than in the sins you have committed.

The heart of the priest is revealed in Confession. He recognizes his own failures and faults. The priest knows Christ has paid the price of the forgiveness of our sins and joins his sufferings to that of Christ for the love of the penitent. In the confessional , the priest gets to see God winning His children back.

Key Takeaways

  • It is not sad for a priest to hear people's sins in Confession.
  • Confession is a place to see God's Mercy in action.

In confession

  • the discouraged are lifted up
  • the wounded are healed
  • the lost are found
  • Sin is a failure. Going to Confession and saying, "I'm not giving up on a God who has not given up on me" is a victory!
  • You are a part of God's masterpiece
  • Priests are God's "garbage men".
  • Confession is a place of Victory!

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you think of yourself as someone who is trying to love God more or someone who has failed when you go to Confession?
  2. What do you think of Fr. Mike Schmitz's image of a priest being God's garbage man?
  3. What part of this video had the greatest impact on you? Why?