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7 Secrets of Confession
Flynn, author of the best-seller,7 Secrets of the Eucharist (200,000 copies sold), presents a similar approach to the Sacrament of Confession in this new book that reveals 7 key secrets or hidden truths about the great spiritual beauty, power and depth of Confession.
The understanding that many Catholics have of the Sacrament of Confession is so limited and narrow in its focus that it keeps them from discovering the real beauty and value of this Sacrament beauty and value that even a young child can understand if it s presented properly. For too many Catholics, Confession is just a means to an end: cleaning us up from sin so we can receive Communion. But, as Pope Francis tells us, Confession is much more than "going to the dry cleaner." It s "an encounter with Jesus, who waits for us as we are.
In his years of speaking all over North America, Flynn saw that many Catholics have this limited appreciation of Confession, and the urgent need for clear teaching about this great Sacrament. If you have not yet experienced Confession as a wonderful, personal encounter with Christ; if you do not yet look forward to going to Confession with the same eagerness and expectation with which you receive Holy Communion, this book is for you. It will be a whole new way of going to Confession, inviting you to begin an exciting personal journey to healing and holiness. It may change your life.
The understanding that many Catholics have of the Sacrament of Confession is so limited and narrow in its focus that it keeps them from discovering the real beauty and value of this Sacrament beauty and value that even a young child can understand if it s presented properly. For too many Catholics, Confession is just a means to an end: cleaning us up from sin so we can receive Communion. But, as Pope Francis tells us, Confession is much more than "going to the dry cleaner." It s "an encounter with Jesus, who waits for us as we are.
In his years of speaking all over North America, Flynn saw that many Catholics have this limited appreciation of Confession, and the urgent need for clear teaching about this great Sacrament. If you have not yet experienced Confession as a wonderful, personal encounter with Christ; if you do not yet look forward to going to Confession with the same eagerness and expectation with which you receive Holy Communion, this book is for you. It will be a whole new way of going to Confession, inviting you to begin an exciting personal journey to healing and holiness. It may change your life.
200 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
202 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Vinny Flynn
20 books42 followersVinny Flynn is Executive Director of MercySong Ministries of Healing, and best-selling author of 7 Secrets of the Eucharist, 7 Secrets of Confession, 21 Ways to Worship: A Guide to Eucharistic Adoration, and Mercy's Gaze. He is also a gifted musician and popular speaker for parish programs, conferences, and retreats.
Known to many as “the man who sings the Divine Mercy Chaplet on EWTN,” this father of seven has been involved in a ministry of mercy for over forty years, using his gifts to help people understand the teachings of the Church and open their hearts to the healing and transforming touch of God’s love.
To read Vinny's full bio, click here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 10, 2014
As with Mr. Flynn’s earlier, 7 Secrets of the Eucharist, this latest book is a treasury of useful information. Much of it was already familiar to me and the rest seemed like stuff I should have known, as a Catholic for over ½ a century. For example, I always thought of the Confession as primarily having to do with forgiveness, whereas the church sees it as one of the two sacraments of healing. Anointing of the Sick is the other one. Also—and I don’t know how I’ve missed this all these years—our sins are completely taken away. Gone. The ledger is wiped clean. I’m as cured as one of lepers Jesus healed in the Gospel. Wow!
So they aren't really secrets exactly, despite what the title says. They are only things which most people (such as yours truly) don't know, forgot or were never taught.
However, the book was motivational. Because really, who wants to tell their sins to another person? Of course, we know the priest is really in persona Christi, standing in for, or representing Christ to us in the confessional. Still not easy to get over the fact that most priests don’t look like Jesus, even if many of them do exemplify his compassion during the sacrament.
So it’s good to have a book like this which offers a number of solid reasons why we want to actually make a face-to-face sacramental confession, as opposed to a private confession to Jesus. Not that Catholics are at all discouraged from doing this also; every time we catch ourselves in a sin wouldn’t be too often. It’s just that the sacrament requires, builds and strengthens humility, the underlying and most important virtue in the Christian life.
There were many things I learned from this book but I’ll just share one of my favorites which I expect to use very often in the future. It is a suggestion for what you can do when you catch yourself committing sins against your neighbor, whether they be gossip, judging, getting angry in traffic or thinking/saying anything uncharitable. Mr. Flynn refers to these as The Three R’s and here they are:
1. Repent: Here you realize you goofed up again and did x, y, or z – whatever your predominant sin is. You quickly repent of it.
2. Revoke: “I revoke, take back, or un-think whatever unkind, impatient, uncharitable thought(s) and/or un-say the word(s).”
3. Replace: “I replace the negative words with positive ones, ‘curses’ with blessings, unforgiveness with forgiveness, etc.” Conclude all with prayers that God bless the person(s).
Putting this in my car to take with me every time I go to confession. Excellent download as well. Highly recommended.
So they aren't really secrets exactly, despite what the title says. They are only things which most people (such as yours truly) don't know, forgot or were never taught.
However, the book was motivational. Because really, who wants to tell their sins to another person? Of course, we know the priest is really in persona Christi, standing in for, or representing Christ to us in the confessional. Still not easy to get over the fact that most priests don’t look like Jesus, even if many of them do exemplify his compassion during the sacrament.
So it’s good to have a book like this which offers a number of solid reasons why we want to actually make a face-to-face sacramental confession, as opposed to a private confession to Jesus. Not that Catholics are at all discouraged from doing this also; every time we catch ourselves in a sin wouldn’t be too often. It’s just that the sacrament requires, builds and strengthens humility, the underlying and most important virtue in the Christian life.
There were many things I learned from this book but I’ll just share one of my favorites which I expect to use very often in the future. It is a suggestion for what you can do when you catch yourself committing sins against your neighbor, whether they be gossip, judging, getting angry in traffic or thinking/saying anything uncharitable. Mr. Flynn refers to these as The Three R’s and here they are:
1. Repent: Here you realize you goofed up again and did x, y, or z – whatever your predominant sin is. You quickly repent of it.
2. Revoke: “I revoke, take back, or un-think whatever unkind, impatient, uncharitable thought(s) and/or un-say the word(s).”
3. Replace: “I replace the negative words with positive ones, ‘curses’ with blessings, unforgiveness with forgiveness, etc.” Conclude all with prayers that God bless the person(s).
Putting this in my car to take with me every time I go to confession. Excellent download as well. Highly recommended.
July 1, 2013
Truly one of the best books I've read in 2013, and it will stay on that list. Flynn's writing is accessible and tender without being simplistic and sentimental. He addresses confession and I felt at least ten mental clicks as I read his insight. He moved my heart and I am pretty sure that if I ever get to meet him, I'm going to hug him for the gift this book is and is sure to continue to be in my life.
May 12, 2018
Are you really worried about your sins? Are you afraid to go for confession to a priest? Do you want to be more in union with Jesus? This is the book you are looking for.
Vinny Flynn, made a great effort to show the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation in our lives. Very Often we all are much worried about our sins, always try to dumped in the confessional before a priest.
but Vinny with this book showed us how we must approach this sacrament of mercy and the graces which we will receive from this sacrament.
Again he showed the confession as a moment which we share our failures with Jesus. More than the presence of priest, Jesus is waiting there for us.
To listen to us and to heal us so that we can be with Him always.
He explained throughout this book with the help of Catechism of the Catholic Church and other Church documents, the use of the diary of St. Faustina also really help us to clarify more doubts about this sacrament.
It is an invitation to all of us to start a life which is grace filled. Let us start anew in His grace.
Vinny Flynn, made a great effort to show the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation in our lives. Very Often we all are much worried about our sins, always try to dumped in the confessional before a priest.
but Vinny with this book showed us how we must approach this sacrament of mercy and the graces which we will receive from this sacrament.Again he showed the confession as a moment which we share our failures with Jesus. More than the presence of priest, Jesus is waiting there for us.
To listen to us and to heal us so that we can be with Him always. He explained throughout this book with the help of Catechism of the Catholic Church and other Church documents, the use of the diary of St. Faustina also really help us to clarify more doubts about this sacrament.
It is an invitation to all of us to start a life which is grace filled. Let us start anew in His grace.
May 12, 2025
This was a Lenten read for us, and it was very good. There is a lot to ponder in this one, plus the author reminds us it is always a good thing to pray for the priests who hear our confessions. A good choice if you want to learn more about this amazing sacrament!
March 20, 2025
It is a very useful book. I am sincerely glad that it came into my hands, because it changed my vision of confession in a positive sense, which is primarily a cure, healing through forgiveness.
September 14, 2017
Really helped reshape my view of confession and appreciate it more as a sacrament of healing. It's more about our relationship with God than listing transgressions. Good stuff. Good food for thought.
January 29, 2015
This book has some excellent advice, and I liked his focus on the healing aspect of the Sacrament. He's a little goofy for my taste.
March 11, 2023
Book 4 of 2023
I actually started this book last year, during Lent, when I was trying to encourage myself to attend confession on a more regular basis. I only made it half way through chapter 4 when I found myself sitting face to face with our bishop in confession! Since then, I have experienced the wonderful grace of going of participating in the sacrament of reconciliation much more regularly. So, I guess the book did it's job! Still though, there was more than half the book to finish and I don't like leaving things undone....so I picked it back up for Lent this year and finished it.
The second half was as good as the first, in my opinion, and it was easy to finish. The book talks about forgiveness and healing, about how grace give us a new kind of life. It talks about the priest's role as a spiritual guide and educator. It teaches how mercy goes beyond justice. We can think of the image of the prodigal son wrapped in the embrace of his father's arms. Confession is when our misery meets His mercy, and all is restored.
"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." - Luke 12:48 - I have heard this verse so many times, but never really understood it until I read this book. Our sins aren't just about what we have done, but also about what we have failed to do. As Catholic's we shouldn't be of the mindset that we HAVE to go to confession, but that we GET to go to confession. This has changed everything for me. After my confession experience with the Bishop, I then started to confess regularly to our parish priest - which I had previously been terrified to do, because I saw him as more of a friend, and let's face it, we don't want our friends to know all of our follies! He was man I saw several times a week, served on committees with, shared meals with, asked for advice from, and was close in age to me and my husband. He also spent time with my husband too. Why would I WANT to go to him and tell him about all of the times I had messed up?!? After reading this book though, I finally "got" it. I wish I had "gotten it" decades ago, but I guess it's never too late.
"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." - Luke 15:7
Every action, no matter how small, has a positive or negative effect on the universe. Every sin has repercussions on the entire ecclesial body (the Church) and the whole human family. There are many mysteries in our faith, and to those who have faith, no explanation is necessary, but to those without faith, no number of explanations will ever be enough. Christ doesn't just forgive our sins. He takes them away. And now I understand why our priest has installed a large image of the Divine Mercy in our confessional, and even a larger one near the front of the church. When I swallow my pride, overcome fears, and make a sincere confession, repenting of my sins AND resolving to change my life, then I console Christ on the cross.
Furthermore, the book discusses our need to forgive others. We MUST forgive those who trespass against us if we want God to forgive our own trespasses. If our hearts are hardened by the inability to forgive others, it will be very difficult for our hearts to accept the grace God wants to pour into us. We must bless those who we feel like cursing. We have all heard the story about Jesus "on the night he was betrayed." How does that story continue? Did Jesus sit around with his disciples complaining about how the Pharisees and Saducees and how he had been mistreated??? Did Jesus walk off by Himself, reflecting on His misery, feeling sorry for Himself because nobody understood Him? Or did Jesus walk over to Judas and smack him really hard? NO!!!! When I think about it like this, I feel pretty silly over the times I dwelt on the ways I was hurt by others. And truly, I couldn't have picked this book up at a better time, because as of late I had been doing a LOT of dwelling on the ways I was treated unjustly by people I loved. It's not about being RIGHT! Christ was right! He hadn't done anything wrong, and yet he was terribly violated and persecuted.
Of course it is easier to forgive than to forget. Even when we sincerely want to forgive, a memory can pop up out of nowhere, the pain comes back, and trying to deny that pain only gives it more power and leads us back to unforgiveness. What do we do then? Well, the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit can turn injury into compassion, and purify the memory by transforming the hurt into intercession. The hurt we received from that person can be turned into a prayer for that person. The hurt then loses it's power and gives us the opportunity to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Matthew 5:44
I have to say that I LOVED this little book. I often log my reading sessions in an app and I was surprised when I finished the book and logged it on February 27, 2023 that I had actually started it on February 27, 2022! So it looks like it took me a year to read it, when in reality it was only 3 days. lol. I see the coincidence in dates as one of God's little winks to me saying "I knew you needed to hear this and I knew WHEN you needed to hear it the most. You're welcome." I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with the sacrament of reconciliation. It gave me what I needed to properly understand confession and to get the healing that I need to be the person who God made me to be.
I actually started this book last year, during Lent, when I was trying to encourage myself to attend confession on a more regular basis. I only made it half way through chapter 4 when I found myself sitting face to face with our bishop in confession! Since then, I have experienced the wonderful grace of going of participating in the sacrament of reconciliation much more regularly. So, I guess the book did it's job! Still though, there was more than half the book to finish and I don't like leaving things undone....so I picked it back up for Lent this year and finished it.
The second half was as good as the first, in my opinion, and it was easy to finish. The book talks about forgiveness and healing, about how grace give us a new kind of life. It talks about the priest's role as a spiritual guide and educator. It teaches how mercy goes beyond justice. We can think of the image of the prodigal son wrapped in the embrace of his father's arms. Confession is when our misery meets His mercy, and all is restored.
"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." - Luke 12:48 - I have heard this verse so many times, but never really understood it until I read this book. Our sins aren't just about what we have done, but also about what we have failed to do. As Catholic's we shouldn't be of the mindset that we HAVE to go to confession, but that we GET to go to confession. This has changed everything for me. After my confession experience with the Bishop, I then started to confess regularly to our parish priest - which I had previously been terrified to do, because I saw him as more of a friend, and let's face it, we don't want our friends to know all of our follies! He was man I saw several times a week, served on committees with, shared meals with, asked for advice from, and was close in age to me and my husband. He also spent time with my husband too. Why would I WANT to go to him and tell him about all of the times I had messed up?!? After reading this book though, I finally "got" it. I wish I had "gotten it" decades ago, but I guess it's never too late.
"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." - Luke 15:7
Every action, no matter how small, has a positive or negative effect on the universe. Every sin has repercussions on the entire ecclesial body (the Church) and the whole human family. There are many mysteries in our faith, and to those who have faith, no explanation is necessary, but to those without faith, no number of explanations will ever be enough. Christ doesn't just forgive our sins. He takes them away. And now I understand why our priest has installed a large image of the Divine Mercy in our confessional, and even a larger one near the front of the church. When I swallow my pride, overcome fears, and make a sincere confession, repenting of my sins AND resolving to change my life, then I console Christ on the cross.
Furthermore, the book discusses our need to forgive others. We MUST forgive those who trespass against us if we want God to forgive our own trespasses. If our hearts are hardened by the inability to forgive others, it will be very difficult for our hearts to accept the grace God wants to pour into us. We must bless those who we feel like cursing. We have all heard the story about Jesus "on the night he was betrayed." How does that story continue? Did Jesus sit around with his disciples complaining about how the Pharisees and Saducees and how he had been mistreated??? Did Jesus walk off by Himself, reflecting on His misery, feeling sorry for Himself because nobody understood Him? Or did Jesus walk over to Judas and smack him really hard? NO!!!! When I think about it like this, I feel pretty silly over the times I dwelt on the ways I was hurt by others. And truly, I couldn't have picked this book up at a better time, because as of late I had been doing a LOT of dwelling on the ways I was treated unjustly by people I loved. It's not about being RIGHT! Christ was right! He hadn't done anything wrong, and yet he was terribly violated and persecuted.
Of course it is easier to forgive than to forget. Even when we sincerely want to forgive, a memory can pop up out of nowhere, the pain comes back, and trying to deny that pain only gives it more power and leads us back to unforgiveness. What do we do then? Well, the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit can turn injury into compassion, and purify the memory by transforming the hurt into intercession. The hurt we received from that person can be turned into a prayer for that person. The hurt then loses it's power and gives us the opportunity to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Matthew 5:44
I have to say that I LOVED this little book. I often log my reading sessions in an app and I was surprised when I finished the book and logged it on February 27, 2023 that I had actually started it on February 27, 2022! So it looks like it took me a year to read it, when in reality it was only 3 days. lol. I see the coincidence in dates as one of God's little winks to me saying "I knew you needed to hear this and I knew WHEN you needed to hear it the most. You're welcome." I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with the sacrament of reconciliation. It gave me what I needed to properly understand confession and to get the healing that I need to be the person who God made me to be.
September 12, 2023
As a cradle catholic, I know “of” some of the points he touched. But, never really deeply thought about confession the way that the author described it. Really gave me a whole new outlook on the sacrament of confession and so will keep this book by my side for the next time I prepare for it. VERY ACCESSIBLE READ - not heavy on the theology and lots of analogies to drive the point home.
August 27, 2024
A quick, easy read filled with lots of information about what confession is and how we should approach it. I would recommend for anyone in RCIA preparing for their first confession, for those who haven’t been in a while, or for those who want a better understanding of what the sacrament of reconciliation is.
December 16, 2023
I read a chapter of this book each time I was in line for confession, and it really did positively impact the way I approach the sacrament. Two things from this book that have stuck with me and have not left are:
1) Saint Faustina Kowalska explaining that our purpose for going to confession is not JUST forgiveness, but that we go “for healing and education” as well. ❤️🩹
2) Sin explained as turning our face away from God; stepping out of his gaze. So when we prepare for confession, we should as ourselves how we have turned our faces away from God. 💥
1) Saint Faustina Kowalska explaining that our purpose for going to confession is not JUST forgiveness, but that we go “for healing and education” as well. ❤️🩹
2) Sin explained as turning our face away from God; stepping out of his gaze. So when we prepare for confession, we should as ourselves how we have turned our faces away from God. 💥
February 23, 2025
Yes!! 4.8! wowow
August 13, 2017
A very well written and insightful look into the Sacrament of confession. I learned so much and will never approach or think of reconciliation in the same way! I recommend this to every Catholic!
March 26, 2024
5 Word Reviews:
In my Catholic era again?
In my Catholic era again?
November 4, 2016
this book... absolutely changing my perspective. the writing's easy to understand. even for beginner in reading English books it'd be not hard to comprehend. it is all becomes clear now that whenever we go to confession there's like such a burden lift off of us. up until now I've been approaching the confession with a wrong mindset. three R's whenever we fall into sin: repent, revoke, replace. and this book also recommends the examen. a book I will recommend to my friends.
January 7, 2014
A helpful "primer" for those of us who feel inadequate in the confessional. I have not yet used the resources provided but plan to avail myself of several. I learner some facts I never realized. An easy text to.readz; goes quickly. Highly recommemnded.
August 1, 2017
This book is about “7 Secrets”. I’ll start off my book review with a secret confession of my own. On my Goodreads LS Wagen’s Author page, I marked this book off as to be read on January 29, 2017. I noted that I would either have to special order it from a bookstore (religious or secular), or purchase it on www.amazon.com Also, my parish lending library didn’t carry it. Low and behold, my Catholic parish set up a book display in McKay Hall with the paperback book on it. They had previously carried the EBook, but I didn’t want the EBook. For a $5.00 donation you could buy the book. It was on the honor system, you put the money in the little hole. This paperback version was offered for sale 2 months ago. I never got around to bringing the $5.00 with me. I think I really was afraid to read the book as it might motivate this cradle Catholic into going to confession more than my twice a year duty during Advent, and Lent. This reluctance to purchase the book despite my desire to read it continued, until I had a dream. In the dream, this book was sitting on a shelf in my private library at home. That’s it. End of dream. Short dream. To the point. Okay, God, I’ll read the book.
Two weeks ago, I bought the book, and this week I read it! Yea! I’m glad I did!
Oh, by the way, the book retails for more than $5.00; obviously our parish was subsidizing the books on the display.
So what were the secrets in the book, (that’s all of my personal secrets that you are getting out of me), Beyond the Grocery List, Secret 1 Sin Doesn’t Change God, Secret 2 It’s Not Just About Forgiveness, Secret 3 Your Sin is Different From My Sin, Secret 4 Confession is Never Really Private, Secret 5 You’ve Got Mail, Secret 6 New Wine Needs New Skin, Secret 7 You have to Let Go of Your Chains, and bonus secrets Change Your Oil!, and Don’t Forget the Hors D’ouvres.
Obviously, chapter headings.
Beyond the Grocery List is about rediscovering confession beyond simply rattling off your sins, and the same sins from confession to confession.
Sin Doesn’t Change God is about your personal relationship with God and how your personal sin effects it.
It’s Not Just About Forgiveness is about how confession heals the soul, and sanctifies it, not just how God forgives sin in the confessional.
Your Sin is Different From My Sin is about how God views all the circumstances of your sin, and about only how He can judge the serious of each sin.
Confession is Never Really Private Yes, the author Vinny Flinn states that there is a “seal” of confession which forbids the priest to ever reveal or make use of the information he hears in the confessional, that’s not what the author means. He means more than just a priest is there, God is there, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and all of Heaven. As it says in Luke 15:10, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." So all of Heaven rejoices too in a truly penitent sinner. (Which means not just going through the motions, all you cradle Catholics out there.) And of course, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, not only reconciles you to the Blessed Trinity it reconciles you to your brothers, and sisters in the Lord.
You Got Mail I’ll leave that one as a surprise. Read the book.
New Wine Needs New Skin is about becoming a new creature in Christ. You Have to Let Go of Your Chains is about not hanging onto your sins of unforgiveness.
Change Your Oil is about the graces received during confession, and the help God gives you in overcoming your besetting sins. More frequent confession helps you do this, and by confessing your venial sins more frequently, this helps you not to fall into more serious (mortal) sin.
Don’t Forget the Hors D’ouvres is how to examine your conscience and prepare for confession. Strange place at the end of the book, but the author ties it in how preparation on your part, and the priest’s part can pay off at the end. Yes, you can pray for the priest before he hears your confession. A prayer that you might be understood better, and that your anxiety won’t get in the way of your communication.
So my recommendation for people who need to read this book is that it’s a book for just about everybody - - - Cradle Catholics, and Catholic converts, Protestants, atheists, agnostics, and people in general who want to know more about the Catholic Church and Her sacraments.
So even after know a great deal about confession after growing up Catholic, I still got a lot out of this book, like realizing this is a “healing” sacrament, just as much as the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a healing sacrament.
But the reason God nudged me into reading this book wasn’t only for myself. It was because He knew I would write a review to urge you to read 7 Secrets of Confession by Vinny Flynn and published by Catholic Press, Ignatius, for yourself!
PS. I’m still not convinced to go to confession more often, sorry Mr. Flynn.
Two weeks ago, I bought the book, and this week I read it! Yea! I’m glad I did!
Oh, by the way, the book retails for more than $5.00; obviously our parish was subsidizing the books on the display.
So what were the secrets in the book, (that’s all of my personal secrets that you are getting out of me), Beyond the Grocery List, Secret 1 Sin Doesn’t Change God, Secret 2 It’s Not Just About Forgiveness, Secret 3 Your Sin is Different From My Sin, Secret 4 Confession is Never Really Private, Secret 5 You’ve Got Mail, Secret 6 New Wine Needs New Skin, Secret 7 You have to Let Go of Your Chains, and bonus secrets Change Your Oil!, and Don’t Forget the Hors D’ouvres.
Obviously, chapter headings.
Beyond the Grocery List is about rediscovering confession beyond simply rattling off your sins, and the same sins from confession to confession.
Sin Doesn’t Change God is about your personal relationship with God and how your personal sin effects it.
It’s Not Just About Forgiveness is about how confession heals the soul, and sanctifies it, not just how God forgives sin in the confessional.
Your Sin is Different From My Sin is about how God views all the circumstances of your sin, and about only how He can judge the serious of each sin.
Confession is Never Really Private Yes, the author Vinny Flinn states that there is a “seal” of confession which forbids the priest to ever reveal or make use of the information he hears in the confessional, that’s not what the author means. He means more than just a priest is there, God is there, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and all of Heaven. As it says in Luke 15:10, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." So all of Heaven rejoices too in a truly penitent sinner. (Which means not just going through the motions, all you cradle Catholics out there.) And of course, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, not only reconciles you to the Blessed Trinity it reconciles you to your brothers, and sisters in the Lord.
You Got Mail I’ll leave that one as a surprise. Read the book.
New Wine Needs New Skin is about becoming a new creature in Christ. You Have to Let Go of Your Chains is about not hanging onto your sins of unforgiveness.
Change Your Oil is about the graces received during confession, and the help God gives you in overcoming your besetting sins. More frequent confession helps you do this, and by confessing your venial sins more frequently, this helps you not to fall into more serious (mortal) sin.
Don’t Forget the Hors D’ouvres is how to examine your conscience and prepare for confession. Strange place at the end of the book, but the author ties it in how preparation on your part, and the priest’s part can pay off at the end. Yes, you can pray for the priest before he hears your confession. A prayer that you might be understood better, and that your anxiety won’t get in the way of your communication.
So my recommendation for people who need to read this book is that it’s a book for just about everybody - - - Cradle Catholics, and Catholic converts, Protestants, atheists, agnostics, and people in general who want to know more about the Catholic Church and Her sacraments.
So even after know a great deal about confession after growing up Catholic, I still got a lot out of this book, like realizing this is a “healing” sacrament, just as much as the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a healing sacrament.
But the reason God nudged me into reading this book wasn’t only for myself. It was because He knew I would write a review to urge you to read 7 Secrets of Confession by Vinny Flynn and published by Catholic Press, Ignatius, for yourself!
PS. I’m still not convinced to go to confession more often, sorry Mr. Flynn.
April 11, 2025
Excellent book on confession!! Vinney Flynn has an engaging way of writing that keeps your attention. I know much about confession, but he brought some insights into the sacrament I did not even think about!! A must read especially if you struggle with confession.
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July 24, 2024I was in adoration a while back and while sitting in front of Jesus, I felt Him prompt me to go the bookshelf at the back of the chapel and read something. I ended up picking this up and it proved to be a very good aid for my Holy Hours or any other time I was in adoration.
I think for most Catholics (me included) confession can be a source of stress and anxiety. This does a good job of redefining the sacrament as more than just having your sins forgiven, but rather encountering the infinite mercy of Jesus on the cross.
As someone with a particular devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus, I loved the implementation of St. Faustina’s Diary (which I really need to read since she’s one of my favorite saints) throughout the book.
Going to confession after reading some of this, even if my sins were only venial, proved to be such a comforting and edifying experience. I definitely recommend this to any Catholic or anyone curious about the sacrament of Reconciliation.
I do wish he addressed scrupulosity, though. Any discussion of confession should include that in some way.
I think for most Catholics (me included) confession can be a source of stress and anxiety. This does a good job of redefining the sacrament as more than just having your sins forgiven, but rather encountering the infinite mercy of Jesus on the cross.
As someone with a particular devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus, I loved the implementation of St. Faustina’s Diary (which I really need to read since she’s one of my favorite saints) throughout the book.
Going to confession after reading some of this, even if my sins were only venial, proved to be such a comforting and edifying experience. I definitely recommend this to any Catholic or anyone curious about the sacrament of Reconciliation.
I do wish he addressed scrupulosity, though. Any discussion of confession should include that in some way.
September 9, 2019
Wow, Vinny Flynn has done it again. I thought I knew all about Confession, the why, the how, etc. Flynn has made me rethink this sacrament, has made me think of it as a truly holy encounter with Christ. There were so many pertinent parts to this book, that I know I have to reread it soon. For example, "In the confessional, God the Father, together with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is filled with joy as you return to Him, and He immediately shares that joy with all those who are in perpetual union with Him in Heaven." All of Heaven rejoices! I love it. I was going to give this copy to my brother, but now I know I just have to buy him his own.
July 6, 2022
The most impactful book I’ve read in years! It has entirely changed how I view the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and has given me an incredible growth spurt in confession.
“If you look for information about confession in the Catechism, you won’t find it under “Forgiveness.” You’ll find it under “Sacraments of Healing.”
“Christ isn’t forgiving me now in the confessional. He forgave me 2,000 years ago! I am just receiving it now.”
“Confession used only for forgiveness is a conversion FROM. Confession used as a guide and incentive to spiritual growth is a conversion TO a more insightful, radical, authentic following of Jesus Christ.”
“If you look for information about confession in the Catechism, you won’t find it under “Forgiveness.” You’ll find it under “Sacraments of Healing.”
“Christ isn’t forgiving me now in the confessional. He forgave me 2,000 years ago! I am just receiving it now.”
“Confession used only for forgiveness is a conversion FROM. Confession used as a guide and incentive to spiritual growth is a conversion TO a more insightful, radical, authentic following of Jesus Christ.”
April 19, 2018
I finally read the book that my brother gave me 2 years ago. It was worth it.
My major takeaway is to see the Sacrament of Confession as a HEALING sacrament and not just a way to receive forgiveness. It should lead to change of our core identity and remedy of the underlying causes of our actual sins. What is at the core of that sin? What did I act in that particular way? Need for a deep examination of conscience.
Also, the author proposes the analogy of viewing Reconciliation as an oil change and not waiting for a major car breakdown.
My major takeaway is to see the Sacrament of Confession as a HEALING sacrament and not just a way to receive forgiveness. It should lead to change of our core identity and remedy of the underlying causes of our actual sins. What is at the core of that sin? What did I act in that particular way? Need for a deep examination of conscience.
Also, the author proposes the analogy of viewing Reconciliation as an oil change and not waiting for a major car breakdown.
July 14, 2019
For one, no man can offer you absolution. No memorized murmurings are going to save your soul.
You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. (Or which you can earn) Ephesians 2:8
Jesus wants a one on one RELATIONSHIP with you. He doesn't want you to memorize prayers and live under rules and guilt. You and him, no middle man or saint or mother Mary needed.
Also please get a proper editor, spelling and grammar mistakes shouldn't happen anymore.
You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. (Or which you can earn) Ephesians 2:8
Jesus wants a one on one RELATIONSHIP with you. He doesn't want you to memorize prayers and live under rules and guilt. You and him, no middle man or saint or mother Mary needed.
Also please get a proper editor, spelling and grammar mistakes shouldn't happen anymore.
November 15, 2019
I found the first few chapters to be a bit boring and common knowledge, certainly not “secrets” but the second half of the book was great and left me with a lot to contemplate. I read this because I am preparing my daughter for her first confession and I felt this was great for that - I definitely feel more prepared to teach her about the beauty of the sacrament and hopefully with my better understanding of confession, she will have a good understanding of it from the very beginning. I would suggest all Catholics, even those who currently go to confession frequently, read this.
February 26, 2021
I was assigned this reading for a SOWDI class I was taking for my job as a Catholic school teacher. Vinny Flynn has a way of wonderfully guiding you to really APPRECIATE confession, understand it, and WANT to do it. Confession has always been sort of "on my NOT to do list." It makes me uncomfortable -- telling another person all sorts of bad stuff about me. But, I think if I embrace the thinking, the secrets Flynn shares in his book, I will feel more settled, happier, closer to God, and ultimately become a better person and Catholic. :-)
August 31, 2025
Not a difficult read, yet it was very thought provoking since the entire book was on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have not spent much time reading, learning or thinking a whole lot about this Sacrament although I have always known it to be critical, so that is why I started to read it.
This book explains the catechism, quotes the saints and popes and gives practical advice. All Catholics, or those coming into full communion with the church, would benefit from reading this book.
It is nice to see, in recent years, priests encouraging the sacrament so much.
This book explains the catechism, quotes the saints and popes and gives practical advice. All Catholics, or those coming into full communion with the church, would benefit from reading this book.
It is nice to see, in recent years, priests encouraging the sacrament so much.
May 8, 2018
This book and the simple, yet profound "Secrets" have been life changing for me. I received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in 32 years due what I learned in the "7 Secrets." There were so many points Flynn makes that made sense to me and provided more insight into just what confession is meant to be. I highly recommend this book to Catholics who have fallen away from the Sacrament or those that continue to receive it but want to understand it more fully.
March 19, 2017
Every Catholic should read this book which gives so much more than they probably got in Catechism classes or RCIA. It centres on a relationship with Jesus (yes, Catholics believe that you should have a personal relationship with Jesus) and how that is the purpose of the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). The only thing wrong about the book is the title - they are not 'secrets'.
May 17, 2020
This was an excellent book which I read in one setting. I couldn’t put it down. My main takeaway was that the sacrament of reconciliation is more about healing than it is about forgiveness. After reading this book I prepared for the sacrament in a different fashion and likely had my best confession ever. Thank you God for giving us this great gift.
March 22, 2022
Such a simple book about the Sacrament of Confession. This helped me realize the importance of God’s mercy end goodness and how much he really loves me. This book made me a bit teary eye too. This book has helped me to better understand Confession, how to prepare for it, and most importantly, to meet Jesus and His mercy through the Sacrament.
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