Freedom and Forgiveness

“This frank and compassionate little volume gets right to the root of our anxieties surrounding Confession: our struggle to grasp and accept the truth of who God really is. By beginning with this foundational reality, the book serves as a guide to both realizing and receiving the Heart of God in this Sacrament of healing, love, and freedom.” —Sr Orianne Pietra René, fsp, media missionary and co-author of Forgiven: A Guide to Confession and the Examen Prayer

"As someone who receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly and as a priest who administers this sacrament regularly, Freedom and Forgiveness has renewed my wonder and awe for the mercy of God found most concretely in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Father Paul Farren's words give us hope and confidence in the love of God for us. Applying the truths contained in this book will enrich a person's spiritual life tremendously." -- Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR, Author of Amid Passing Things: Life, Prayer and Relationship with God and Mary and the Interior Life

“In Father Farren’s short book, he explores how confession brings us into the realm of freedom and forgiveness, reveals the nature of God and of ourselves, and produces in us a proper sorrow for our sins. Father Farren also gives practical instruction for those who wish to enter deeper into the practice of Confession, both in its formal parish celebration and in the preparation for it.” —The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay

“It is one of the best I have seen of its genre.... Thank you for making the book attractive, easy to read, 'in touch' with current culture but not enslaved, and encouraging not only the sacrament but the experience of forgiving.” —Fr Patrick Dooling, San Carlos Cathedral

“Freedom and Forgiveness takes a hard look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation from the angle as God the Confessor.  He writes, ‘What does God confess?  He confesses his love, his forgiveness, his gratitude, his confidence, his trust, and his belief in us’.   We often go around seeing God as unyielding judge who can’t wait to tally up our rights and wrongs, but fail to see the pursuing God of love for his creation.... I cannot say how much this book was a blessing that points myself and others towards God. This book will surely challenge you to see forgiveness through the lens of God’s love and move you toward a life of forgiveness.” —Spencer Cummins, For All it’s Worth

“Fr. Paul Farren's book is a complete gem, encouraging people to go to confession and to allow that to be a significant way of growing towards God. It is not a particularly technical book, but focuses mainly on the nature of God, an encounter with love. The wonder of this book is that it does not emphasize the centrality of our sinfulness, but emphasizes that God confesses his love and his trust in us. A beautiful way to end God's wait is to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. We are encouraged to look into the eyes of God to realize the ways we may grow closer to the Divine.” —Anglican Times-William Scott, an Anglican priest who serves as Domestic Chaplain to the Queen at Buckingham Palace

“Father Paul Farren helps guide readers to a place where they want to re-examine this neglected sacrament so it becomes the mode of deeper relationship with God. In this precise book, he discusses this sacrament by looking more closely at the gift of freedom; who is God; who am I; forgiveness; and celebrating the sacrament. His style is gentle yet persuasive as he invites Christ-followers to come closer to the God they love through introspection and outward lifestyle change.” —Michele Howe, CBA Retailers and Resources

“Freedom and Forgiveness is an excellent resource for all those who teach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, for personal enrichment, and for small group and parish-wide presentations and discussions.  It has enriched my understanding and experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and offered new insight.” —eCatechist: Ideas, Inspiration, Resources