A Judge who is our Father and our Friend

The image of the Last Judgement is not primarily an image of terror, but an image of hope; for us it may even be the decisive image of hope. Is it not also a frightening image? I would say: it is an image that evokes [...]
Tags: Heaven, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Examination of Conscience, Divine sonship

Video

Like the Prodigal Son

During a catechetical gathering in Pamplona, Spain, in 1972, St Josemaria speaks about the importance of the inner battle over the little things of every day, because “love makes something great out of a little thing.”
Tags: Sacrament of Reconciliation, Little things, Ascetical struggle, prodigal son

Question

Did St Josemaria really hear confessions during the Spanish Civil War, risking arrest? Even in a zoo?

During the early months of the Spanish Civil War St Josemaria was living in Madrid. He heard confessions, celebrated Mass, administered Baptisms, even at the risk of his life, if he knew that someone was in need of his priestly ministry. He did his pastoral work [...]
Tags: Spanish Civil War, Sacraments, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Priesthood

Document

How Many Conversions ... Began in a Confessional

Dear Friends, I am very glad to address to each one of you my most cordial welcome. I greet Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli, Major Penitentiary, and I thank him for his courteous words. I greet Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, Regent of the Penitentiary, the personnel, the co-workers and [...]
Tags: Sacrament of Reconciliation, Pope, Sacraments, Benedict XVI, Penance

Video

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Confession is the sacrament of God’s forgiveness. In it, says St Josemaria, we find Christ, “who is both father and mother”.
Tags: Sacrament of Reconciliation, Conversion, Jesus Christ

Video

Alison Birkett, England

Alison Birkett describes St Josemaria as she remembers him from the time she spent in Rome in the 1970s
Tags: Joy, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Hope, Fortitude, Father

Document

Sacramental Confession

Let it out!Sincerity is indispensable if we are to achieve greater union with God. If you have an ugly "toad" inside you, my son, let it out! As I have always advised you, the first thing you must mention is what you wouldn't like anybody [...]
Tags: Sacrament of Reconciliation, Contrition, Conversion, Defects, Spiritual guidance, Sincerity

Document

Divine mercy

The "Festival of Forgiveness" Madrid's Retiro Park will host the "Festival of Forgiveness" during World Youth Day 2011. Hundreds of priests will be located in the park for people to confess throughout the day. The priests will be available to listen to confessions in all major [...]
Tags: Sacrament of Reconciliation, Contrition, Conversion, Ascetical struggle

Testimony

Dedicating your life to the priesthood is a fantastic thing to do

“Thanks to the formative activities I attend, my love for the Church, the Pope and the magisterium grows constantly greater. The Pope’s faithfulness to Jesus Christ is something I find very moving. I have benefited hugely from the example set by the Founder of Opus [...]
Tags: Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus Christ, Piety, Priesthood

Document

An eleven-year-old’s chance encounter with the Founder of Opus Dei

Rafael Poveda Longo was one of the first people to ask for admission in Opus Dei as an Associate, in 1950. He worked as a clerk on a Supplies Committee in Spain, and died in Madrid in 1992, after long years of faithfulness and generous [...]
Tags: Sacrament of Reconciliation, Contemplation, Patience, Poverty, Associate