Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is for our spiritual healing. It is also known as Confession or Penance. 

According to the Gospels, after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to the apostles, breathed on them, and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23) That is why Jesus left us this sacrament, to heal our spiritual wounds, which we call sin. Receiving this sacrament pardons us from our sins through the mercy of God and reconciles us with the Church community.

Individual confession with a priest is the principal means of absolution and reconciliation of grave sins within the Church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from sinful patterns of behavior and calls us to complete conversion to Christ. Reconciliation heals the soul and repairs our relationships.

At St Xavier, our confessionals are in the back of church.  Daily confession times are:
Mon – Fri  beginning at 12:00 Noon and Saturday beginning at 11:00 AM.    …    or by appointment: 513-721-4045

Why do we have to confess our sins to a priest? Can’t we just pray to God for forgiveness?
The video below from Catholic Communication Campaign: "Sacraments 101" provides the answers to these questions and more!

Click here to watch  Sacraments 101 - Penance