It was Jesus himself who instituted the sacrament of confession. Through it, we are forgiven of our sins when we truly show remorse, and we gain a chance at a new life on the path of the Lord.

Father Eustáquio, in one of his writings, offers a beautiful reflection on the importance of confession. Read the full text below:

The Confession

The duty that many Catholics find most burdensome, and from which they seek excuses to evade, is the Sacrament of Confession. For them, the difficulty lies in two points: the accusation or manifestation, to a priest, of the sins they have committed, and the duty or firm resolution not to commit those sins again.

It is certainly a sacrifice to reveal to someone the faults that shame us, to confess to perhaps serious sins, exposing them in their essential circumstances and in their number. However, Our Lord wished to impose this sacrifice upon us and, at the same time, greatly softened it.

We do not have to confess our sins publicly, before many people, but before one man. This man cannot reveal to anyone what he has heard, nor should he be asked under threat of death, or with promises of the greatest riches. This man must bring us with patience and love, like a doctor to the sick, or a father to his children, and he is prepared by many years of study and by the special assistance of God to give the advice appropriate to the state and needs of our soul.

The very great benefit that God gives us through the sacrifice of confession is the forgiveness of our sins, however grave and numerous they may be.

The second difficulty cited by many is the duty to amend one's life. Those who confess must have a firm resolution not to sin again. A person who lives in bad habits and who is not resolved to change their life is not in a position to confess and be forgiven.

The essential and indispensable condition for a valid confession is the firm resolution to avoid sins in the future. However, sins committed subsequently do not detract from the value of a confession made with good intentions. Therefore, anyone who wishes to amend their life can receive the sacrament, and it will give them the strength not to relapse.

Picture Jesus dying on the cross. His body is covered in blood, like a garment woven from blood. His body is one single wound. His head is restless because of the crown of thorns that pierces it. Thirst burns in his mouth, his hands and feet bear the weight of his outstretched body. The wounds tear open more and more…

Oh, dearest brothers and sisters! Jesus, with eyes overflowing with tears, warns us, poor sinners: my children, my blood will wash away your sins when you kneel before the priest to ask for forgiveness. I see a smile on Jesus' face for all who confess, and tears for those who do not.