About the Sacrament
Sacraments are celebrations of Christian tradition, of Christian life and of Christian hope. They share the dimensions of past, present, and future that give ordinary celebrations meaning. But sacraments are no ordinary celebrations. They are special occasions for experiencing God’s saving presence. They are outward signs of an invisible grace; a grace from God.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), we encounter Jesus Christ, who after rising from the dead breathed the Holy Spirit on his Apostles — the first priests — and gave them the power to forgive sins in his name (See the Gospel of John 20:23). The Heart of Christ burns with love for us and he wants us to experience his immense and unfathomable mercy by confessing our sins and receiving his forgiveness. This Sacrament gives us the consolation of God’s pardon and strengthens our relationship with Christ and his one Holy Church.
The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: (1) conversion, (2) confession and (3) celebration. In it we find God’s unconditional forgiveness and as a result we are called to forgive others who have harmed us.
How to Attend the Confessional
- Pray to the Holy Spirit for self-knowledge and trust in the mercy of God. Examine your conscience for past words and deeds that may have harmed another.
- If it is within your piety, make a sign of the cross.
- Say: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ____ weeks/ months/years since my last confession.”
- Confess your sins openly and candidly by submitting the below form.
- Say an “Act of Contrition”: “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins, because of your just punishment, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin.”
- Listen closely as the priest absolves you of your sins and enjoy the fact that God has truly freed you from all your sins. Go and try to sin no more.
- Do the penance the priest assigns you.
- Affirm to stay away from sin.
- Find a parish that will love you unconditionally, like Saint Miriam, so that you may remain close to Christ in all of His sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, central to our lives as Christians.
Q&A
How Can I Arrange to meet with a priest if I desire?
Click here to contact the pastor and he will set a time to meet with you.
Is there a time that confessions take place on a regular basis at the parish?
Yes, 30 minutes before any of our Masses, or by Appointment; please contact one of our priests by contacting us here or call the church office at 215-836-9800 x 702
For more information, you are welcome to watch the video below:
Services:
Our Weekly Masses:
- Three Masses Every Sunday at 7:30am (Early Mass), 9:00am (Family Mass), and 10:30am (Morning Mass)
- Weekday Masses are offered at
- Thursdays at 5:30pm
- First Fridays only at 9:15am
Rosary:
- Thursdays at 5:15pm in our Main Sanctuary.
Adoration:
- Thursdays at 6:00pm – 7:00pm in our Main Sanctuary.
Confessions:
- Thursdays at 4:00pm – 5:00pm in our Main Sanctuary.