The solemn season of Lent has begun with its ritual imposition of ashes and its call to “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”
In a recent Angelus address, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted the need for a rediscovery of the sacrament of reconciliation and reminded Catholics if sins “are not humbly confessed, trusting in the divine mercy, they will finally bring about the death of the soul.” Lent is a good time for Catholics to make their way back to the confessional because confession is truly good for the soul.
Next week the Archdiocese of New York is offering “24 Hours of Grace” which provides all day and night confessions with priests available across the city for a period of 24 hours. The organizer of the event, which includes some 20 parishes in New York City, noted that “thousands upon thousands of Catholics line-up to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday each year…just imagine if these same thousands of Catholics line-up for confession?” Indeed, just imagine if during this Lenten season Catholics across the Diocese of Providence used the ample opportunities provided them for confession at parish penance services, parish missions, and extended hours in confessionals? We are reminded by Pope Benedict that it is in sacramental confession that “Christ crucified and risen, through his priests, purifies us with his infinite mercy, restores us to communion with the heavenly Father and our brothers and sisters, and makes a gift of his love, joy and peace to us.”
It is the compassionate Christ who calls us this Lenten season to come to Him for the mercy and forgiveness that He so willingly offers to sinners. We urge all Catholics to heed the Holy Father’s suggestion and seize the opportunity this Lent to rediscover God’s mercy and forgiveness in the sacrament of confession. The ashes of Ash Wednesday have by now been washed away until next year but the sins that continue to separate us from God and neighbor remain in need of cleansing too. This Lent all Catholics are called to do more than dirty their forehead with ashes, they must take up the call to “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” by entering their nearest confessional.
