Views of the Sacraments

Yrs ago in college Ihad a Catholic roomate- who was a really nice guy and not overtly religious but I realized Catholics were very different about sacraments than others-- or than I was as a non denominal Christain. Going to communion was a big deal for him-- and occasionally getting to Confession.He would even say it sometimes as in, "I better get to confession" I remember the Catholic guys talking about getting to Confession before their lent started-- it surprised me that some of the wilder guys still did that! I never had a desire to change religions but I do recall from college that the Catholic guys were different about sacraments-- I always wondered what they really said in confession !

Not shure what you want to hear, but in JOHN (ch 20 vs 19-31) Jesus tells the apostles that He will work his powers of forgivness through them, since the Priests are all the successors of the apostles, Jesus still works this powere through them.

PS Catholic penence is different than OT penance B/c ot Penance was (in oversimplified way) exchanging forgiveness with something else, (a trade with God).
Catholic Penance is done THANKING God for forgiveing our sins.