How to Make a Good Confession: A Pocket Guide to Reconciliation with God

by John A. Kane

If you still drag your feet about going to Confession, here’s the help you need to enable you to overcome your reluctance and open your soul to the vast reservoir of mercy found in Confession. This down-to-earth, practical guide shows you how to transform your confessions from embarrassing moments in a dark room into profound experiences of God’s love. The author, Fr. John Kane, provides solid guidelines for how you can (and must) make the most effective possible use of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Even better, he shows you how to carry the grace of Confession into your daily life, so that you’ll start winning — consistently — your battles against sin. This is a book you can return to again and again in order to renew your sense of God’s mercy — as well as to gain Fr. Kane’s help in examining your conscience and bringing your life into greater conformity with the light of the gospel.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book as an inspirational book to read as I was waiting in line for confession. Read in snippits once a month over a period of a couple of years, it beautifully helped me focus my mind on my upcoming encounter with Christ in the confessional and was a much more fruitful use of my time than a repetitious review of my sins would have been. I liked it so much for this purpose that I am considering just starting again at the beginning to use it again for the same purpose. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants some good food for thought in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

[Darren Cary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it 4 stars because I want to give it 3-1/2. So I rounded it up.

The book is good material, but the writing can be a bit tiresome. Not because of its content, but because of its style. And the style isn't even bad; it's just not my favorite.

It could be that if I read it again another time, I'd appreciate it more.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and helpful too!

[Katie Kolodzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall. Excellent Examination of Conscience if you’re working on failings & omissions rather than needing a comprehensive list of mortal sins. The language was a little tiresome; not as concise as saints’ writings from earlier times and with needless embellishment as modern churchmen commonly write. I read this book a chapter at a time during my weekly Holy Hour. I think it was helpful to break between each topic.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may be short and a "pocket guide" but this book takes a long, long time to read. I could spend 2 hours just reading 20 pages, longer if I took more time to reflect. I felt some of it was repetitive, and the way things were explained seemed advanced, not an easy one to read. Lots to highlight and go back to again!

[Helen Lemus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer. Explains the real reasons why confession is so important to grow spiritually. Includes an extensive guide to examining the conscience and several Acts of Contrition.

The publisher is a non-profit organization. It is written by a Roman Catholic priest.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This is a very nice resource, especially regarding the importance of making Confession regularly, but the writing was a bit too dense at times.

[Virginia Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it was too deep for me, but I didn’t like it! I truly thought it would give me pointers in making a better confession. Sadly, it did not!

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small book can be carried with you to the sacrament of Reconciliation. It helps you go through the different areas in which you can sin, which is helpful because it is easy to forget or overlook areas.