We begin with the sign of the cross, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Examine your conscience and feel sorry for your sins. (Take a few minutes. In silence, remember and feel sorry for your sins, and think of ways you will amend your life.)

Pray the Act of Contrition.

The cross has two dimensions, vertical and horizontal. The vertical dimension symbolises our relationship with God and the horizontal dimension symbolizes our relationship with others. When we have offended God, we repent of our sins and get right with God. When we offend others, we ask for their forgiveness and forgive those who have offended us. Many times, people may not realise that they have offended you or may not ask for your forgiveness. Nevertheless, God wants us to forgive everyone, even if they have not repented or asked for forgiveness. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. (Mt 6:14-15).

To receive forgiveness for our sins, we must forgive others. If we don’t forgive, we too will not receive forgiveness. Some think that we only need to forgive those who have asked for our forgiveness or show signs of repentance. They think that even God only forgives those who ask for forgiveness or have repented of their sins. This is wrong. Firstly, God does not need anyone’s forgiveness, however, we do. Secondly, God will respect a person’s freedom and will not redeem them if they do not want to be redeemed. However, we need to forgive others unconditionally, because we need forgiveness ourselves, and unforgiveness is a sign of hatred for others. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer (1 John 3:15).

By forgiving others, we can be assured that when we offend others, we too will be forgiven. Some may say, how can one forgive someone when it is humanly impossible to forgive. Forgiving others, becomes possible only by the grace of God. Therefore, if you find it difficult to forgive then pray, fast, and humble yourself, so that the grace of God may reign in your life, and that you may be able to forgive. It is impossible to get to heaven with hatred in our heart. Therefore, we must forgive and forgive immediately. If we hold on too long, then bitterness takes deep root. Therefore, learn to forgive instantly.

Many people think that forgiving others is optional. Do not be deceived, forgiving others is a necessity for our salvation. We must forgive because unforgiveness is a sin, which stops us from receiving forgiveness for our own sins. The way we forgive others is the way we will receive forgiveness from God. Therefore, be generous in forgiving others. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37).

Today, ponder a few minutes and think of all the people you have failed to forgive. Decide to forgive them, even if you don’t feel like forgiving, because forgiveness is based on your decision and not on your feelings. Forgive them with all your heart and pray for them. Offer a mass for them. If bitterness resurfaces later, persevere in your decision to forgive, and continue to pray for them and for the grace of God to help you to forgive continually.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

To receive abundance of graces during this retreat, you can choose to do any of the following daily:

Attend the Holy Mass daily.

Pray the Rosary.

Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

Pray and meditate on the Way of the Cross.

Pray at least 15 minutes in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Read the bible and mediate on scripture for at least 15 minutes.

Pray the Litany of Humility.

Invite others to join this retreat, as a family or as a group.

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