This sacrament is Christ’s gift to his church which enables christians to know they have been forgiven for sins they commit from their baptism onwards.

Pope Francis writes: “Confessing to a priest is a way of putting my life into the hands and heart of someone else, someone who in that moment acts in the name of Jesus. It’s a way to be real and authentic: we face the facts by looking at another person and not in the mirror “(Pope Francis The name of God is mercy, p. 22).

In this sacrament, the priest in the person of Christ, speaks to the penitent Christ’s own word of healing, mercy and forgiveness and enables the sinner to be free of their sins and begin again.  The peace of mind and soul which this sacrament imparts to us is one for which there is no substitute. It is a peace that flows from a certainty, rather than from an unsure hope, that our sins have been forgiven and that we are right with God.

“Many humble people confess to having fallen again. The most important thing in the life of every man and every woman is not that they should never fall along the way. The important thing is always to get back up, not to stay on the groung licking your wounds. The Lord of mercy always forgives me; he always offers me the possibility of starting over” (Pope Francis: The name of God is mercy, p. 60).

In our parish the sacrament is celebrated regularly in Cranleigh and Bramley at weekends and on weekdays.  Confessions – Saturday 5.15-5.45pm.  The priest is also available by prior arrangement, and at any time in case of an emergency.  To contact the priest, please email office@cpcb.org.uk or 01483 272075.