On 23 and 24 October, the Apostolic Penitentiary will hold a seminar on contritio cordis, in Rome and online. A formation initiative open to all the faithful, with particular attention to the lay faithful
To lay down “the weapons of pride”, to allow ourselves to be continually renewed by God’s forgiveness, and to become agents of reconciliation “in everyday life”: this is the path Leo XIV points to. “Only a reconciled person is capable of living in a way that is unarmed and disarming.”
These words help us understand the meaning of the new edition of the formation seminar “Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation”, organised by the Apostolic Penitentiary on 23 and 24 October 2026. The initiative is open to all the faithful, particularly the lay faithful, who wish to approach the sacrament with greater awareness and renewed enthusiasm.
Attuning ourselves to God
Following on from the 2025 edition, which focused particularly on the examination of conscience, this year’s seminar will focus on “Contritio cordis: biblical, theological and spiritual foundations”.
“To recognise our sins means to ‘attune ourselves’ to God, to unite ourselves with Him,” Leo XIV reminds us. The verb “to attune” takes us to the heart of Reconciliation, to restored unity with God. The Apostolic Penitentiary will devote two days to a deeper understanding of the sacrament, beginning with Scripture and moving through theological, spiritual and pastoral reflection.
On Friday 23 October, at 4.00 p.m., Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitentiary, will speak on The biblical foundations of contritio cordis: Psalm 50. At 5.00 p.m., Professor Lodovica Maria Zanet, of the Pontifical Salesian University, will offer an initial clarification of how guilt, sorrow, repentance and contrition relate to one another. A discussion will follow at 5.45 p.m., and the day will conclude at 6.00 p.m.
On Saturday 24 October, at 9.15 a.m., Fr Giuseppe Forlai, of the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, will offer A perspective between East and West on the steps towards true repentance. At 10.00 a.m., Fr Jaime Emilio González Magaña, SJ, theologian of the Apostolic Penitentiary, will consider reparation as “building on the ruins”, focusing on the sacramental and pastoral dimension of Reconciliation. Testimonies will follow at 11.00 a.m., with a discussion at 11.30 a.m. Monsignor Krzysztof J. Nykiel, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, will deliver the closing remarks at 12 noon.
A treasure that should not go unused
Leo XIV also points to a paradox: “It is as though the infinite treasure of the Church’s mercy were left ‘unused’”, because a widespread lack of attention leads many Christians to stay away from the sacrament for long periods.
The seminar now offers an opportunity to rediscover and live this sacrament. Participation is open and free of charge. It can be followed in person in the Sala dei Cento Giorni at the Palazzo della Cancelleria, 1 Piazza della Cancelleria, or online via YouTube. The talks will be in Italian; simultaneous interpretation into English and Spanish will be available to online participants.
In both cases, participants must complete the registration form.
Leo XIV has indicated what the world needs: pastors who offer not only words or programmes, but “the living witness of a reconciled heart”, spreading “the sweet fragrance of Christ’s holiness”. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, he reminds us, is a “laboratory of unity”: it restores unity with God, brings about inner unity and unity with the Church, and fosters peace and unity within the human family.
For further information about the initiative, please visit the website of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
