One of the distinguishing features of Catholicism is the sacrament of reconciliation, which for many is a deal-killer. From my experience in talking with many Protestant teens, older adults and even Catholics, there are many who have reservations against repeating your sins aloud, let alone to a priest who is the center of your spiritual community.
The embarrassment of someone knowing your dirty laundry is enough to bury you, stop you from ever getting a decent job and possibly stunt your growth (that’s what I would like to believe, even at the point of undermining my own argument).
However, let me give a defense to the Catholic practice of confession. It should not be a source of pain. In fact, I see it as a release of the knots of pain in your chest. We live with the pain of the possibility of others knowing our secrets because we don’t want to face the pain of having people know who we are: dirty, unredeemable sinners who do things that we are terribly ashamed of.
However, do you want to let your pain consume you or do you want to face it once and live past it?
To let people know, to tell people of your sins, to be directed on how to make penance, to take the pain and recover is therapeutic, if not spiritual. There may have been a reason that people in some faiths flagellated themselves as they declared their sins. The pain does lead to reward.
The pain may be intense, the pain may even eclipse your life, but all things come to pass. Instead of letting it become a steadily increasing sound of ringing in the ears of your moral conscience, take the time to face your pain head-on. Do not let your pain consume you, because there is not enough time to deal with a lifetime of guilt and shame, not to mention the disease and awkward questions that may come as a result of your escapades.
Frankly, if you feel that confessing to God really gets the sins off your chest, you might be fine. In fact, you might be better off emotionally and in fact, I am quite jealous. I am not able to be at peace without confessing the full extent of my wrong to those I have wronged and making peace with them. Having a priest to direct my penance and begin the process of healing by properly addressing my spiritual wound is a gift I am eternally grateful for.
I suggest all Catholics to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation. I suggest that everyone think about why they don’t like the sacrament of reconciliation. I advise anyone holding in painful secrets to bleed the wound. It’s not as bad as bleeding a physical wound, and you wake up the next day feeling like a champ.
John Valdespino is a music industry senior. He can be reached at
