고해성사에는 4단계가 있습니다. 우리는 우리의 죄에 대해 통회하고 마음의 회개를 통해 우리의 길을 바꿉니다. 우리는 우리의 죄와 인간의 죄성을 사제에게 고백합니다. 우리는 우리를 향한 하나님의 영원한 사랑을 축하하고 그리스도인의 삶을 살기로 다짐합니다. 죄는 하나님과 우리 자신, 그리고 다른 사람들과의 관계를 손상시킵니다. 교리문답은 다음과 같이 말합니다.
A mature understanding of sin includes reflecting upon our thoughts, actions and omissions as well as examining the patterns of sin that may arise in our lives. With contrite hearts, we are also called to reflect upon the effects of our sins upon the wider community and how we might participate in sinful systems.
Contrition and conversion lead us to seek a forgiveness for our sins so as to repair damaged relationships with God, self, and others. We believe that only ordained priests have the faculty of absolving sins from the authority of the Church in the name of Jesus Christ (CCC 1495). Our sins are forgiven by God, through the priest.
The Spiritual effects of the Sacraments of Reconciliation include:
- reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace
- reconciliation with the Church
- remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins
- remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin
- peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation
- an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle (CCC 1496)
Individual confession with a priest is the principal means of absolution and reconciliation of grave sins within the Church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from sinful patterns of behavior and calls us to complete conversion to Christ. Reconciliation heals our sins and repairs our relationships.