Pope Francis: "You can take your sorrow directly to God"
If you can't get to confession, take your sorrow directly to God, pope Francis says
by Cindy Wooden in Catholic News Service - March 20, 2020
Vatican City — Pope Francis says: "People who cannot get to confession because of illness, coronavirus or another serious reason can go to God directly, be specific about their sins, request pardon and experience God's loving forgiveness....An act of contrition done well, and our souls will become white like the snow."
"Return to your father who is waiting for you, the God of tenderness will heal us; he will heal us of the many, many wounds of life and the many ugly things we have done."
God welcomes every repentant sinner with open arms, he said. "It's like going home, and the best place for that is the confessional. But many people today would tell me, 'Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, because I can't leave the house? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want him to embrace me, I want the Father's embrace.'"
The pope said his response would be, "Do what the Catechism (of the Catholic Church) says. It is very clear: If you cannot get to a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your father, and tell him the truth. Say, 'Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,' and ask for pardon with all your heart."
Make an act of contrition, the pope said, and promise God, "'I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.' And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, N. 1452, says: "When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called 'perfect' — contrition of charity. Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible."
"As the catechism teaches," Francis said, "you can draw near to God's forgiveness without having a priest at hand. Please, think about it. This is the moment."