Penance Service

[BennyBoy89]

Tonight my church hosted a penance service for the area parishes. Several priests from out of town came as well to help. It was absolutely beautiful, and seeing God’s priests in their albs and stoles was an inspiration.

After my confession, I went back to my seat. As I was praying, I looked up at our sanctuary lamp suspended from the ceiling. I noticed that as the light outside diminished, the sanctuary lamp grew all the brighter. For whatever reason, I felt like God was reminding me that when darkness surrounds us, He’s even easier to find if we just look for Him.

Has anyone else attended a penance service?

 

[BennyBoy89]

stmarysandusky.org

This is the church I attend, btw.

 

[InLight247]

Thank you for the pictures of your beautiful church!

The Sacrament of Confession is a blessing.
I encourage you to receive this Sacrament often, in addition to the period of Lent.
There is always so much grace when we are humble and obedient.

God bless!

 

[smhall]

BennyBoy,

I also attended a Penance Service much like yours on Sunday. This was the second one which I have gone to. I try to go to confession on a semi-regular basis. So often during the regular weekly confession times, very few people take advantage of this sacrament.

I think that is why I like the Penance Service so much. I can look around and know that I am not the only one struggling with sin. We all know that we are not alone in this, but it is nice to see other faces, other bodies and know that we all believe, we are all committed and that we are all struggling.

I think that Penance is one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. There is nothing as incredible as the feeling of the weight of sin being lifted from me and the Grace and Mercy of God entering me as the Priest absolves me of my sins. Just like in baptism, it is another new life or new beginning for me. How better can one come to know the mercy and love of our God?

Steve