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Freedom and Forgiveness: A Fresh Look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation
In Freedom & A Fresh Look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Father Farren examines the history of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the ways it brings us into a deeper experience of God. This little book is simple, easy to read, and deeply prayerful. Father Paul’s Irish storytelling background comes to the forefront as he articulates simply but effectively the history of confession with a fresh look to the sacraments which profoundly centers a tone of New Evangelization.
Confession is somewhat daunting for many of us; yet Father Farren argues, “ Our understanding of the sacrament reveals our image of God. If our image of God is one of an uncompromising judge, then the sacrament can fill us with dread.”Instead of coming to confession to avoid judgment and hellfire, Father Farren paints a picture of the Sacrament of Reconciliation which presents a loving God who longs for a restored relationship with His children. It is an inspirational picture and one that is presented compellingly.
Confession is somewhat daunting for many of us; yet Father Farren argues, “ Our understanding of the sacrament reveals our image of God. If our image of God is one of an uncompromising judge, then the sacrament can fill us with dread.”Instead of coming to confession to avoid judgment and hellfire, Father Farren paints a picture of the Sacrament of Reconciliation which presents a loving God who longs for a restored relationship with His children. It is an inspirational picture and one that is presented compellingly.
- GenresCatholic
90 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 21, 2014
Pope Francis made headlines when, during Lent, he stunned onlookers by received confession publicly at St. Peter’s Basilica before hearing the confession from the faithful. However, as radically different many find this pope, his theology and practice is consistent with Catholic teaching post-Vatican II. A new book from Father Paul Farren explores the practice, purpose and meaning behind the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In Freedom and Forgiveness: A Fresh Look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Farren examines the history of the sacrament and the ways it brings us into a deeper experience of God. Confession is somewhat daunting for many of us; yet Farren argues, “Our understanding of the sacrament reveals our image of God. If our image of God is one of an uncompromising judge, then the sacrament can fill us with dread. (1)” Instead of coming to confession to avoid judgement and hellfire, Farren paints a picture of the Sacrament of Reconciliation which has a loving God behind it who longs for a restored relationship with His children.
In Farren’s short book he explores how confession brings us into the realm of freedom and forgiveness, reveals the nature of God and of ourselves, and produces in us a proper sorrow for our sins. Farren also give practical instruction for those who wish to enter deeper into the practice of Confession, both in its formal parish celebration and in preparation for it.
This is a Catholic book which I read as a non-Catholic Christian. While my ecclesiastical membership is once removed from Rome, I think that this is one area we (protestants) can stand to learn from our Catholic brothers and sisters: Confession is good for the Soul. Bonhoeffer, the German Martyr, scholar and pastor discussed the importance of hearing words of absolution from another in his book Life Together. However many of us save confession for private prayers and yet are surprised when our religious experience becomes increasingly privatized.
I think Farren issues a challenge for all Christians, though he writes primarily to Catholics and grounds his reasoning in Church dogma. However what he tells us about God’s character and the experience of freedom and forgiveness is a word appropriate for us all, even if work is to be done on how to fit these wise words into our own contexts. This is a short book (about 85 pages) but it is full of practical insights worth turning over. I recommend this book for all Christians longing for a greater experience of freedom from sin and a deeper relationship with God. I give this book four stars.
Thank you to Paraclete Press for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
In Freedom and Forgiveness: A Fresh Look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Farren examines the history of the sacrament and the ways it brings us into a deeper experience of God. Confession is somewhat daunting for many of us; yet Farren argues, “Our understanding of the sacrament reveals our image of God. If our image of God is one of an uncompromising judge, then the sacrament can fill us with dread. (1)” Instead of coming to confession to avoid judgement and hellfire, Farren paints a picture of the Sacrament of Reconciliation which has a loving God behind it who longs for a restored relationship with His children.
In Farren’s short book he explores how confession brings us into the realm of freedom and forgiveness, reveals the nature of God and of ourselves, and produces in us a proper sorrow for our sins. Farren also give practical instruction for those who wish to enter deeper into the practice of Confession, both in its formal parish celebration and in preparation for it.
This is a Catholic book which I read as a non-Catholic Christian. While my ecclesiastical membership is once removed from Rome, I think that this is one area we (protestants) can stand to learn from our Catholic brothers and sisters: Confession is good for the Soul. Bonhoeffer, the German Martyr, scholar and pastor discussed the importance of hearing words of absolution from another in his book Life Together. However many of us save confession for private prayers and yet are surprised when our religious experience becomes increasingly privatized.
I think Farren issues a challenge for all Christians, though he writes primarily to Catholics and grounds his reasoning in Church dogma. However what he tells us about God’s character and the experience of freedom and forgiveness is a word appropriate for us all, even if work is to be done on how to fit these wise words into our own contexts. This is a short book (about 85 pages) but it is full of practical insights worth turning over. I recommend this book for all Christians longing for a greater experience of freedom from sin and a deeper relationship with God. I give this book four stars.
Thank you to Paraclete Press for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 27, 2025
This is a pastoral and compassionate explanation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It would be perfect for a Catholic who is uncomfortable with this rite, but who is still seeking a way into the sacrament.
February 1, 2020
Easy read. Well writen.
October 3, 2024
I found this book very thought provoking and inspiring. I don’t know that I agreed with everything in it, but it is a deeply personal reflection on confession and I feel I really benefited from it.
February 23, 2015
by Father Paul Farren
Two very simple words yet profound in their implications, freedom and forgiveness offer the human race a way forward in dealing with the problems and conundrums of life on Earth. Father Paul Farren in his book, Freedom and Forgiveness takes a hard look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation and looks at from the angle as God the Confessor. He writes, “What does God confess? He confesses his love, his forgiveness, his gratitude, his confidence, his trust, and his belief in us” (1). We often go around seeing God as unyielding judge who can’t wait to tally up our rights and wrongs, but fail to see the pursuing God of love for his creation.
Father Farren brings to the forefront a concept of beliefs surrounding God’s love that is worth mentioning, especially for myself, steeped in Reformational Protestant theology. Farren writes,
“Do many of us really believe that we are terrific? What is mean to be terrific? Does it mean that be perfect and able to do anything? Does it mean to have no weakness? I don’t think so. Are we not terrific when we accept that we are originally good and also that we have original sin? Our beauty comes from the whole truth about ourselves. That whole truth involves all that is good in us and all that is broken in us. We are a mixture of both. However, the power of our brokenness decreases when we realize that we are the beloved of God” (20).
We err on the side of condemnation when we focus on the brokenness and not speak of the children of God that we are, and yet when we fail to mention the brokenness of our hearts and minds we miss part of the truth about ourselves.
Seeking forgiveness is a difficult matter altogether. Farren mentions that forgiveness frees that other person from the paralyzing force of anger and violence, seeing the other person as a wound to be healed and not as an enemy (32). And yet, as Jean Vanier point out, forgiveness is never a one-time deal where we seek reconciliation and go on our merry way. No, forgiveness is a process, sometimes life-long that is always moving from hurt, hate, and rejection towards acceptance, love, and forgiveness.
I cannot say how much this book was a blessing that points myself and others towards God and others in forgiveness. The foundation of forgiveness is God’s love for his children, even in the death and resurrection of his Son. This book will surely challenge you to see forgiveness through the lens of God’s love and move you toward a life of forgiveness.
Thanks to Paraclete Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Two very simple words yet profound in their implications, freedom and forgiveness offer the human race a way forward in dealing with the problems and conundrums of life on Earth. Father Paul Farren in his book, Freedom and Forgiveness takes a hard look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation and looks at from the angle as God the Confessor. He writes, “What does God confess? He confesses his love, his forgiveness, his gratitude, his confidence, his trust, and his belief in us” (1). We often go around seeing God as unyielding judge who can’t wait to tally up our rights and wrongs, but fail to see the pursuing God of love for his creation.
Father Farren brings to the forefront a concept of beliefs surrounding God’s love that is worth mentioning, especially for myself, steeped in Reformational Protestant theology. Farren writes,
“Do many of us really believe that we are terrific? What is mean to be terrific? Does it mean that be perfect and able to do anything? Does it mean to have no weakness? I don’t think so. Are we not terrific when we accept that we are originally good and also that we have original sin? Our beauty comes from the whole truth about ourselves. That whole truth involves all that is good in us and all that is broken in us. We are a mixture of both. However, the power of our brokenness decreases when we realize that we are the beloved of God” (20).
We err on the side of condemnation when we focus on the brokenness and not speak of the children of God that we are, and yet when we fail to mention the brokenness of our hearts and minds we miss part of the truth about ourselves.
Seeking forgiveness is a difficult matter altogether. Farren mentions that forgiveness frees that other person from the paralyzing force of anger and violence, seeing the other person as a wound to be healed and not as an enemy (32). And yet, as Jean Vanier point out, forgiveness is never a one-time deal where we seek reconciliation and go on our merry way. No, forgiveness is a process, sometimes life-long that is always moving from hurt, hate, and rejection towards acceptance, love, and forgiveness.
I cannot say how much this book was a blessing that points myself and others towards God and others in forgiveness. The foundation of forgiveness is God’s love for his children, even in the death and resurrection of his Son. This book will surely challenge you to see forgiveness through the lens of God’s love and move you toward a life of forgiveness.
Thanks to Paraclete Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2014
the author added new dimensions to my understanding and appreciation of the sacrament.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews