At St. Stephen's, we offer the rites of confession and reconciliation. If you would like to make an appointment with one of the St. Stephen's clergy for counseling, direction or confession, please call the Parish Office at 305.448.2601.

The ministry of reconciliation, which has been committed by Christ to his Church, is exercised through the care each Christian has for others, through the common prayer of Christians assembled for public worship, and through the priesthood of Christ and his ministers declaring absolution.

The Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere.

When a confession is heard at St. Stephen's, the confessor may sit in a place set aside to give great privacy, and the penitent kneels nearby. If preferred, the confessor and penitent may sit face to face for spiritual counseling leading to absolution.

When the penitent has confessed all serious sins troubling the conscience and has given evidence of due contrition, the priest gives such counsel and encouragement as are needed and pronounces the absolution. Before giving absolution, the priest may assign to the penitent a psalm, prayer, or hymn to be said, or something to be done, as a sign of penitence and act of thanksgiving.

The content of a confession is not normally a matter of subsequent discussion. The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken.