Lent is a season of return. It is a time when the Church calls us back to God, and back to the basics of Christian living. At the heart of that invitation is the call to come back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (often called “confession”). This sacrament is a time for Catholics to come to the Lord as a sinner, to be seen and loved by Him, and to experience the freedom of His forgiveness. Yet for many Catholics, confession can feel intimidating and overwhelming. Every Lent, I am inspired by the number of Catholics who return to the sacrament after many years. Their hearts receive the courage necessary to come. It is a beautiful privilege to tell a penitent, “Welcome home.” If you are someone who has been away from the sacrament for a long time, Christ is inviting you to rediscover it as a place of peace.