One of our guest priests that listens to the confession of a parishioner at an Advent penance service. MPIM File Photo
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu (DSPNSDA) on behalf of its Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Lopito “Bembol” Hiteroza is encouraging everyone to attend and participate every Kumpisalang Bayan most esp on DSPNSDA.
While the church is not mandating Catholics to confess before Lent or Advent, Fr. Ignatius Huan said that Catholics are obliged to receive communion during Easter (catholicnews.sg) and the sacrament of reconciliation “prepares us to receive communion in a state of grace on Easter.” While, Advent is a time of waiting, but it can also be a very meaningful time of confession.
Some reminders before you go to DSPNSDA Kumpisalang Bayan:
1. Confess with a Contrite Heart
To confess is to admit all our sins to God with the hope of being forgiven and renewed by Him. When we confess, take the chance to mention all the things that you want to be cleansed from and lift it all up to God along with the trust that He will absolve and accept you. Remember that if you confess, it is important that you do it with a contrite heart (pusong nagsisisi). Show God that you are sincerely sorry of your sins. God would love to see his child summoning to Him; willing to be cleansed and renewed by Him; willing to live a better life.
2. Forgive others
Confession does not end at the moment of receiving God’s mercy, you are bound to share God’s mercy to others by forgiving the people who have wronged you the same way God has freed you from your sins. “Forgive others as God forgives you.” If God has forgiven you, he will give you a heart that would be willing to forgive his brothers and sisters as well. You will not only receive His mercy but also achieve divine joy, divine joy is the shared happiness with God when we are forgiven and when we forgive others in return.
3. Come back to God
Confession is one way of coming back to our father and telling him that he is the only source of perfect love. A perfect love that can sacrifice for and forgive his child. When we confess, we feel inexplicably happy as we receive his forgiveness. At the same time, God is joyful that His child remembered him and wants to embrace him again as your father, the primary source of all the love in this world.
Camille Cabal
EIC, Website Team, Media Ministry
Camille embodies a soul of a writer that’s why even though how many times she tried turning away from it, she finds herself not only coming back but also loving it. Camille finished her Bachelor’s degree major in Communication in Trinity University of Asia. She is now working as a freelance copywriter. Her desire to explore a new world is her reason for joining Media and Public Information Ministry. Being with MPIM for years taught her how passionate she can get. She believes that the best way to get things done is to put your heart into whatever you do.
