However small the sins that you may confess may be, always have sincere sorrow for them, together with a firm resolution to correct them in the future. Many who confess their venial sins out of custom and concern for order, but without thought of amendment, remain burdened with them for their whole lives and thus lose many spiritual benefits and advantages.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Sinners that repent are still saved; both publicans and fornicators cleansed by repentance enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. The compassionate God still calls to Himself all that have turned away, and He awaits them and promises them mercy. The loving Father still receives His prodigal sons come back from a far country and He opens the doors of His house and clothes them in the best robe, and gives them each a ring on their hand and shoes on their feet and commands all the saints to rejoice in them.
–Saint Tikhon (1724-1783)
How can you entertain a doubt of Jesus pardoning your sins, when He has affixed them to the Cross, whereon He died for you, with the very nails by which His own hands were pierced?
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
If you would know whether you have made a good confession, ask yourself if you have resolved to abandon your sins.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
The longer we remain without confessing, the worse it is for us, the more entangled we become in the bonds of sin, and therefore the more difficult it is to give an account.
–withoutSaint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
