Reconciliation

Penance is a sacrament institued by Christ in which forgiveness of sins committed after baptism is granted through the priest’s absolution to those who with true sorrow confess their sins and promise to satisfy for the same. It is a sacrament because it is an outward sign to impart grace to the soul. The grace conferred is deliverance from the guilt of sin and, in the case of mortal sin, from its eternal punishment. The confessions is made to a duly ordained priest with requisite jurisdiction and with the power to forgive sins which Christ granted to His Church.