The Consolation of Confession
It was a rough week. We were all at various stages of recovering from colds, patience was in short supply, and one of my sons was just struggling with everything. Homework, chores, sibling relationships, getting up in the morning—it was all just too much. I noticed that his class was scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Penance that Friday, and set against the backdrop of the week’s difficulties, I expected complaining or even a refusal. On the contrary, he was excited and diligent in his preparations for the sacrament, and set off happily to school that day. When I picked him up, I asked about his day. “Oh Mom, we went to confession, and my soul is all wiped clean!” He paused. “I just want to keep it this way forever. It feels so good to get rid of my sins.”
I was so moved by his confidence, and the clear comfort and encouragement that he recognizes in this sacrament. It’s an uncomfortable sacrament: We are asked to cast a steady gaze at our consciences, to name our sins, and then to set aside time to say them out loud in the confessional. My son went to confession for the first time last fall; he not only knows how long it has been since his last confession, he still knows how many times he’s received the sacrament in total. Going to confession is still new for him, so I can see that he still gets just a bit nervous, as do all of my children. Yet none of them objects to going. They are not overlooking the discomfort of confession, but they have had a strong, repeated experience of the consolation of God’s forgiveness.
It is this experience of faith that is central to religious education they receive at OLMC School. As students, my children learn about the sacraments, they prepare with their classmates to receive them, but most importantly, they are invited regularly to spend time with Jesus by attending Mass and Benediction, praying together, and receiving the Sacrament of Penance. Nurturing this relationship is presented as not just normal but essential for their health and wellbeing, for their right understanding of who they are. It is no less important than fresh air, sunshine, good food, and being loved. It has always been at the heart of our family life to pray together, to attend Mass and confession regularly, but now I am grateful that this life is encouraged all around us. My children expect to wait in line for confession at OLMC parish on any given Saturday, and they will never forget during the pandemic how many people came—some from far away—to receive the Sacrament of Penance at the “confession shed.” They see many familiar faces at Mass, as they in turn are recognized by others. They experience faith as a way of life, and a relationship with Jesus as a concrete reality, a constant help, a steadfast support.
As most mothers, I am both excited and full of trepidation knowing my children are growing up and will someday leave my care. Life tests us in ways we cannot predict, and failure and weakness are not looked on kindly by the world. But I hope they continue to experience that at the end of a hard week, they can approach Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance, and leave the burden of their sins at his feet.
Theresa MacDonald is a mom of 4 Chanticleers and regular contributor to OLMC’s blog.