There are three “parts” of the sacrament of penance, three things that are required of those receiving the sacrament of penance: contrition, confession and satisfaction. These three conditions are known as the acts of the penitent. (Incidentally, the “penitent” is the person going to confession; the “confessor” is the priest administering the sacrament.) This sacrament exists to set us free from the sins we have committed. “Whoever commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). That explains the three … Read More