Why is it so hard to receive God’s forgiveness? Have you ever felt yourself asking the same question?
There was a time when I failed to get a schedule for Confession before the Feast of Divine Mercy. And it was was a time when I felt the guilt of some sins I wanted to ask forgiveness for.
I felt very sad. The Catholic Church has always emphasized the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but on that very important day, it just wasn’t available.
I thought about the growing scarcity of priests. If this is what’s happening now, how would it be in the future? Would people still find the sacrament when they need it so badly? When the very salvation of their souls is at stake?
Forgiveness Beyond Confession
During the COVID19 Pandemic, many people found themselves in the same situation. They wanted to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but they could not. For about three years, people needed to stay at home and even hear mass online.
It was during this time when Pope Francis offered a special “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on March 27, 2020. It was special because the usual blessing that gives plenary indulgence is usually given only during Easter and Christmas. In addition, the need to go to Confession and have Communion within 20 days has been waved due to “impossibility” in the light of the pandemic.
On an earlier mass, Pope Francis spoke about “perfect contrition”:
But many will say to me today: “But, Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, when I can’t leave the house? And I want to make peace with the Lord. I want Him to embrace me. I want my Daddy to embrace me… How can I do it if I can’t find a priest?” Do what the Catechism says.
It is very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He is your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an Act of Contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will go to confession, but forgive me now.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near to God’s forgiveness, as the Catechism teaches us, without having a priest at hand.
What is Perfect Contrition?
“When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.” (CCC 1452)
This is the kind of sorrow we feel not only because of shame or the fear of punishment, but because we have offended God who is good. It is the contrition that comes from true love of God.
While God has provided us with the sacraments to be a channel of His grace, God’s mercy is not limited by the sacraments.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has expressed this truth even when it comes to the sacrament of Baptism: “God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.” (CCC 1257)
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
When Jesus appeared to St. Faustina, He promised extraordinary graces to those who will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
“Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy.” – Jesus to St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul, 687)
While this is especially connected to the novena to be prayed during the nine days before the Feast of Divine Mercy, it can also be prayed on other times.
One can pray it on three o’clock in the afternoon, which is the Hour of Great Mercy. One can also pray it when an urgent or special intention comes to mind. Most of all, one should pray it when in need of God’s Mercy and in the hour of death.
“Write that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior.”- Jesus to St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul, 1541)
How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
To pray the chaplet, one can use ordinary rosary beads. Begin with the sign of the cross, and then pray one Hail Mary, one Our Father and one Apostle’s Creed.
For each large bead, pray:
“Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”
For the small beads, say the following:
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
Conclude the prayer by saying the following three times:
“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
Trust in God’s Mercy
“I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.”- Jesus to St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul, 1146)
Wherever you may be, I invite you to trust in the infinite mercy of God. Consider the Good Father who waits and welcomes the return of his prodigal son. Remember the words of forgiveness offered by Jesus to the woman caught in the act of adultery. And keep in mind the boundless mercy of Jesus Christ when He promised paradise to the repentant thief at the cross.
You may be beyond the reach of any priest and you may find yourself unable to go the Sacrament of Confession. But you are never beyond the Mercy of God.
“If the greatest sinner on earth should repent at the moment of death, and draw his last breath in an act of love, neither the many graces he has abused, nor the many sins he had committed would stand in his way. Our Lord would receive him into His mercy.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
“Come now, let us set things right,
says the Lord:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be red like crimson,
they may become white as wool.”
-Isaiah 1:18 (NABRE)
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of Mend My Broken Heart, Questions to God and 366 Days of Compassion. She also writes about relationships and the Catholic faith at Single Catholic Writer.
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