Day 200: The Confession of Sins

The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible. CCC 1455

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses the confession of sins by penitents for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Upon being prompted to repentance, the penitent must confess all mortal sins to a priest for absolution. This is required by all who've reached the age of discretion, at least once a year, and always before reception of Holy Communion. While venial sins do not necessarily need to be taken to the confessional, it is encouraged to help form a good conscience and fight against whatever evil may tempt us. 

Confession isn't easy at times, but I look at it in light of what Scripture says that as sinners we are sick, Jesus is the Divine Physician, and confession is the medicine we need as He heals us with His mercy (Mk 2:17). Pope Francis has called the Church a "field hospital" for sinner, with the confessional being a place of spiritual healing.

I like the commentary in the Catechism Companion, Vol II on this:

Contrition is the starting point, characterized by being sorry for sin and desiring to turn back to the Lord. Confession is the expression of contrition and involves making our sins known... God already knows our sins, but confession gives him access to our wounds and allows him to transform us with his mercy and forgiveness... Confession is a collaboration with God, where we join him in acknowledging our sins. Our sins are forgiven when we are absolved, but consequences of sin may still exist and require efforts to restore what was broken. The satisfaction we make for our sins is done with Christ. (p. 164)

Finally, there are two iPhone apps I've found useful for the confessional. 

The first is the Metanify Confession Tool, an app from the Copts I believe. Mostly I like the prayers for repentance, along with those for before and after confession. Their patristics section on virtues and passions is useful too. I haven't used the canon or priest portal sections so cannot comment on those.
 

The second is Laudate, a Catholic app. In addition to its many other features, under Confession it has a lot. Psalm 51, Daily Examination of Conscience, and a checklist for different folks that can be quite handy when trying to remember everything while in the confessional. 

These are just two of the tools I've found useful lately. There are of course many, many others. Find whatever works for you and put it to good use!