"Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." - John 20:22-23

The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are: 

• reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace; 
• reconciliation with the Church;
• remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
• remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin; 
• peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation; 
• an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

 - Catechism of the Catholic Church 1496

When do we celebrate Reconciliation?

First Reconciliation is typically received in the second grade as part of sacramental preparation in Parish School of Religion (PSR).  Receiving the Sacrament of the Reconciliation for the first time as an adult, is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  After your first reconciliation, you can go as often as you like.