Saints LightWill God Always Forgive Me?
In Confession, Jesus forgives our sins through the priest, and He always welcomes us back with joy when we are sorry.
Everyone makes wrong choices sometimes. We fight with a brother, tell a fib or refuse to help. Those choices are sins, and they hurt our friendship with God and with other people. But God has a beautiful gift for us when we do wrong: the sacrament of Confession, also called Reconciliation or Penance (CCC 1422-1424).
On Easter night, the risen Jesus breathed on His Apostles and gave them the power to forgive sins in His name. Today Jesus forgives us through the priest (CCC 1441-1442).
Confession is simple. First you think about your choices: what did I do that was not loving? This is called an examination of conscience. Then you tell your sins to the priest. He may give you some advice, and he gives you a penance, a prayer or kind act to help make things right. You tell God you are sorry with an Act of Contrition (CCC 1451). Then the priest prays the words of absolution, and your sins are forgiven.
Many children feel nervous before their first Confession. That is normal! Remember: the priest has heard it all before, he is happy you came, and he can never tell anyone what you said, ever. This is called the seal of Confession (CCC 1467).
Remember the father who ran to hug his son? That is what Confession is like. Jesus said there is joy in heaven over every sinner who turns back. No sin is too big for God's mercy when we are sorry. You walk out clean, light and free (CCC 1468).
Key points
- In Confession, Jesus forgives our sins through the priest.
- The priest can never tell anyone what we confess.
- No sin is too big for God's mercy when we are sorry.
The Word of God
Receive the Holy Spirit! If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them.
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 1422-1424
- CCC 1441-1442
- CCC 1451
- CCC 1467
- CCC 1468
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
Each night this week, look back on your day with God: what did I do well, and where did I fall short? Say sorry to God and to anyone you hurt. If you have already made your First Confession, ask your family to go together soon.
Check yourself: three questions
1. Who forgives our sins in Confession?
- The priest by his own power
- Jesus, through the priest
- Our parents
- Nobody; we just feel better
Show the answer
Jesus, through the priest. Jesus gave His Apostles the power to forgive sins in His name, and He forgives us through the priest.
2. Can the priest tell anyone what you confessed?
- Yes, your parents
- Yes, if it is funny
- Only your teacher
- No, never: that is the seal of Confession
Show the answer
No, never: that is the seal of Confession. The seal of Confession means the priest can never tell anyone, ever.
3. Is any sin too big for God to forgive when we are truly sorry?
- No, God's mercy is bigger than any sin
- Yes, some sins can never be forgiven
- Only small sins can be forgiven
- Only grown-ups can be forgiven
Show the answer
No, God's mercy is bigger than any sin. Like the father in the parable, God always welcomes back anyone who is truly sorry.
Words to know
- Penance
- A prayer or good deed the priest gives you to help make things right after Confession.
- Absolution
- The prayer the priest says, in Jesus' name, that forgives your sins.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know what happens in Confession and why, will feel safe and glad about it, and will be ready to prepare for their First Confession.
Opener. Ask: "Have you ever broken something, or hurt someone, and felt heavy inside until you said sorry? How did you feel afterward?" Share a gentle example of your own.
Discussion questions
- Why do we confess to a priest and not just to God in our heads? [Jesus chose this way, and we get to hear out loud that we are forgiven.]
- What is the hardest part about saying sorry? [Being embarrassed or scared. Remind them the priest is kind and keeps the seal.]
- Is there anything God will not forgive if we are sorry? [No. His mercy is bigger than any sin.]
- How can you prepare for Confession? [Examine your conscience, pray to the Holy Spirit, practice the Act of Contrition.]
Activity. Practice Confession role play, using only pretend sins: set up two chairs. The leader plays the priest, and each child takes a turn walking through the steps with a made-up sin (for example, "I forgot to feed the dog"). Practice the greeting, telling the sin, listening, receiving a penance and praying the Act of Contrition your parish uses. Then make a pocket card with the steps (think, tell, listen, be sorry, be forgiven) to bring to their real Confession.
Closing prayer. Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of Confession. When we do wrong, help us not to hide, but to run back to You like the son in Your story. Thank You for always forgiving us. Amen.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, heavy heart opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, practice role play and pocket card 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
Related lessons
- How Do I Go to Confession? (The Sacraments)
- Why Confess to a Priest? (Hard Questions)
- How Do I Make My First Confession? (Becoming Catholic, free)
- the forgiveness of sins (The Creed, free)
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