During this holy Lenten season, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton is screening a Formed series called ‘Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession’.

Every Monday from the first week of Lent to the Monday of Holy Week, the Cathedral is hosting an informative and inspiring series about the Sacrament of Confession. Led by Fr Isaac Fransen and a group of young adults, the 30-minute or so episodes are followed by a small group discussion in which each group responds to a question related to the episode.

After five minutes, the questions are rotated. Supper is provided with drinks even served to your table! From seven years old to seventy years, these evenings have been a time of growing closer to Our Lord, as well as true Christian communion, laughter, fellowship and a good cup of tea!

‘Forgiven’ helps people grow in their understanding of the significance of the Sacrament of Confession in the Catholic Church. Learning about why the Church has this Sacrament is important, and often people have many questions that just go unanswered! The best part of having a priest (or two) around is that the Sacrament of Confession is available for people,

should they wish to encounter the Mercy of God for themselves.

On the third evening, we reflected on the Christian motto, ‘Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi’ which is ‘the law of prayer is the law of belief, is the law of what is lived.’ This is the power of the Sacraments, the Liturgy and the rituals of the Catholic faith- they teach how to pray so that we may express what we believe, which shapes our very lives.

The Jubilee Year is year of abundant grace and a call to hope in the Lord. The Sacrament of Confession provides Catholics with great hope in the everlasting Love of God, a place where God comes not as a judge but as a merciful Father. What better way to prepare for the Resurrection of Our Lord than to be made worthy through God’s Mercy- poured out for us

on the Cross.