The picture of that sign is from a confessional in my home parish where a lot of Catholics scurry to get to confession this time of year. Here’s why. We’re called to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter Season, and since we should go to Confession to be in a state of grace before reception of Communion, Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation) is pretty important to attend to. The good news is the Easter Season hasn’t ended and won’t until 50 days after the celebration of the Resurrection through the Ascension of our Lord to Pentecost Sunday which falls on June 9 this year.
We introduce a wonderful Confession Guide to warm you up to the task of going to Confession. Most Confession apps (we feature the best ones out there) don’t really have as their mission to take you through an in-depth look at this amazing sacrament of mercy. You may have forgotten 90% of what you learned (or were supposed to learn) as a child. That’s normal and completely okay! That just means you’re ready to dive into this Sacrament as–well, an adult– and really plumb its meaning along with all the details of properly going through the Rite with your confessor. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is app is your guide!
ConfesGuide (Free) Apple is an app version of a popular in-depth booklet by Fr. James Socias that’s prepared a whole lot of Catholics for Confession for many years. Here you get clear instructions in not only WHAT to do before, during and after Confession, but WHY (with Scripture and Church teachings). Take your time with this app during quiet moments you carve out for just you and your soul. It’s designed for that. Reflect on God’s grace in action and your resolution to avoid sin and live a new life. We like how this guide answers common questions and concerns gently and patiently. Unfortunately, the Examination of Conscience is not as thorough as you’ll find in other apps. Again, this app is a more of a guide to get your mind wrapped around what this Sacrament is supposed to be for you as Jesus meant it. And for your little ones, this app also offers an Examination of Conscience for Children. You’ll like how it can remember the date of your last Confession for you (you’ll always need to know that).
The most difficult part for most people going to Confession is the actual “confessing,” if you will. Here the app offers some simple points to remember: concise, concrete, clear and complete. You’ll get the gist as you read about these characters of a good confession. You’ll be reminded to just ask the priest if you have difficulty expressing some stuff. It’s okay.
The entire Rite of Reconciliation is provided. Most apps don’t offer this. It’s the step-by-step walk-through of the Sacrament with all the words the priest will say and what you will say as part of the Rite. YES bring this app into the confessional if you need it. That’s okay too (and you’ll appreciate it being backlit on your device).
The developer of this app is one of our favorites–St. Clement ePress. They’ve been producing some of the more beautiful Catholic apps in the marketplace! Do wander over to their site to browse their many other offerings which we highlight throughout our catalogue of recommended apps.
We offer one of the quotes in this app to open your heart to this amazing sacrament:
“To those who have been far away from the sacrament of Reconciliation and forgiving love, I make this appeal; come back to this source of grace; do not be afraid! Christ is waiting for you. He will heal you, and you will be at peace with God.”
–Saint John Paul II
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