What is confession?
The short answer
Confession — the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation — is the way Christ forgives sins committed after Baptism. A person confesses their sins to a priest, expresses sorrow, receives absolution, and does a penance. It restores friendship with God and with the Church.
Christ's own gift
On the evening of the Resurrection, Jesus breathed on the apostles and said, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (John 20:22-23). You cannot forgive or retain sins you have not heard, so this power implies that sins are spoken aloud.
Many names, one sacrament
The Catechism lists several names, each highlighting something true (CCC 1423-1424):
- Confession — we acknowledge our sins honestly.
- Penance — we turn back and make amends.
- Reconciliation — God restores us, and we are reconciled with the Church.
- Forgiveness — through the priest's absolution, God grants pardon and peace.
Why tell a priest?
Catholics believe only God forgives sins — and that God chose to do it through ordained ministers (CCC 1441-1442). The priest does not forgive by his own power; he acts in persona Christi. There are human reasons, too: hearing "I absolve you" gives a certainty that private prayer alone does not, and saying sins out loud breaks their hold.
The seal of confession
A priest may never reveal anything heard in confession, for any reason, under penalty of excommunication (CCC 1467). Priests have died rather than break the seal.
How often?
Catholics must confess serious sins at least once a year. The Church warmly encourages frequent confession, even of venial sins, as a means of growth (CCC 1458).