Confession Truly Performs Miracles
For the beginning of the liturgical year, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Major Penitentiary, addressed a letter to the penitentiaries of the Roman basilicas, reminding them of the grandeur of the ministry of confession.
“Your ministry, dear friends and confessors, doesn’t make noise but yes miracles! No one perceives, but God sees and this is what matters,” wrote Cardinal Piacenza.
The liturgical time of Advent is indeed a preparation for Christmas that is very well summarized by the sacrament of penance: “while we advance toward the Bethlehem manger, we prepare our heart for the coming of the God-Man,” added the prelate.
Exhorting the priests of the Roman basilicas to be ever more generous in the ministry of confession, the Major Penitentiary recalled that the pastor “who exercises with fidelity the ministry of Reconciliation”, has the “immense grace” “of being able to offer himself to the God-Man for the salvation of each brother”.
The cardinal also recalled that confession does not simply consist in forgiving sins: the priest must “place penitents on the path of sanctity, exercising over them, in an appropriate way, a true teaching, a ministry of guidance and accompaniment,” he concluded.
Sources: Vatican Insider / Osservatore Romano / FSSPX.News
