On Easter evening the risen Jesus breathed on the apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” Only God can forgive sins, but Christ chose to share this power with His priests. This sacrament is called Reconciliation, Penance, Confession and the sacrament of conversion.
In the early Church, serious sins were confessed publicly, and penances could last for years. Over the centuries, partly through the influence of Irish monks, private confession became the norm, and the sacrament could be received often. Its heart has never changed: sorrow, confession, penance and absolution.
Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart. For a sin to be mortal, all three of these must be present:
- Grave matter: a serious wrong, as spelled out by the Ten Commandments.
- Full knowledge: knowing that it is seriously wrong.
- Deliberate consent: choosing it freely.
Venial sin weakens charity without destroying it, and fear, pressure, habit or illness can lessen a person's responsibility. Confession brings real effects: reconciliation with God and the Church, freedom from eternal punishment, peace of conscience and strength for the journey. The priest is bound by the seal of confession: he may never reveal what he hears, even to save his own life, and some priests have died rather than break it.
Even after forgiveness, sin leaves wounds and disorders that need healing, which the Church calls temporal punishment. Prayer, penance, works of mercy and indulgences help heal them. An indulgence is granted by the Church from the treasury of Christ's and the saints' merits; it does not forgive sin itself, and it can never be bought.
The Anointing of the Sick is for anyone in danger because of serious illness or old age. The priest lays hands on the sick person and anoints the forehead and hands with blessed oil. It gives strength, peace and courage, unites suffering with Christ's Passion, forgives sins if the person cannot confess, sometimes restores health, and prepares the person for eternal life. It can be received more than once.