Catechumens

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Reconciliation and healing

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What is the Sacrament of Penance?

Penance is a sacrament in which the sins committed after baptism are forgiven.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 180, question 187.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

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How does the Sacrament of Penance remit sin, and restore the soul to the friendship of God?

The Sacrament of Penance remits sin and restores the friendship of God to the soul by means of the absolution of the priest.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 180, question 188.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

What must we do to receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily?

To receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily we must do five things: (1) We must examine our conscience. (2) We must have sorrow for our sins. (3) We must make a firm resolution never more to offend God. (4) We must confess our sins to the priest. (5) We must accept the penance which the priest gives us.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 183, question 191.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

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Watch · beginner

Going to Confession for the First Time in a Long Time

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Calm, practical preparation for someone returning to the sacrament after years away.

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Why Confess My Sins to a Priest?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Addresses a common objection to sacramental confession.

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Watch · intermediate

How to Receive the Eucharist Worthily and Well

The Thomistic Institute · Aquinas 101

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A careful treatment of preparation and disposition for Holy Communion.

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Going to Confession for the First Time in a Long Time

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

Why Confess My Sins to a Priest?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

How to Receive the Eucharist Worthily and Well

The Thomistic Institute · Aquinas 101 · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

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Additional Church references
Source readingVerify

Catechism: the acts of the penitent

Read paragraphs 1450–1460 for understanding, without compiling a personal confession; allow 7–9 minutes.

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Catechism: repentance, confession and satisfaction

1450–1460; first and fourth blocks

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Catechism: the minister of Reconciliation

1461–1467; second block

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Catechism: receiving Anointing

1514–1516; third block

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Catechism: the graces of Anointing

1520–1523; third block

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Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: the acts of the penitent

Read paragraphs 1450–1460 for understanding, without compiling a personal confession; allow 7–9 minutes.

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

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The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: repentance, confession and satisfaction

1450–1460; first and fourth blocks

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

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The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: the minister of Reconciliation

1461–1467; second block

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

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Additional approval evidence (opens in a new tab)

The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: receiving Anointing

1514–1516; third block

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

View approval evidence (opens in a new tab)

Additional approval evidence (opens in a new tab)

The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: the graces of Anointing

1520–1523; third block

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

View approval evidence (opens in a new tab)

Additional approval evidence (opens in a new tab)

The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Scope of Catechumens commentary

Approval of a cited source does not extend to original commentary written by this app. Original religious lessons, explanations and prayers remain withheld until approval for those exact texts is documented.