My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In his 2009 Lenten Message Pope Benedict XVI prays, “May every family and Christian community use well this time of Lent, therefore, in order to cast aside all that distracts the spirit and grow in whatever nourishes the soul, moving it to love of God and neighbor.” He continues by saying, “I am thinking especially of a greater commitment to prayer, ‘lectio divina’, recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and active participation in the Eucharist, especially the Holy Sunday Mass.”

To help bring about a greater commitment to prayer during this Lenten season, a Reconciliation Weekend will be held on April 3 and 4 at various churches throughout the Diocese.  The purpose of this weekend is to provide numerous opportunities for believers to journey back to God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The dates, times and locations of the offering of the Sacrament where priests throughout the Diocese will be available to hear confessions are available on this website.

It may be some time since you participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance.  You may have questions about what to do or say.  There are resources available on this website to assist you. I also encourage you to speak with a priest, if you have more questions.

During the season of Lent, I ask you to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, either at your local parish church or at another parish close to you on April 3 and 4. Together, let us enter the penitential spirit of Lent, through a greater commitment to prayer and reflection, of penance, almsgiving and fasting.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Thomas Wenski
Bishop of Orlando