We all know that the essential element for a good confession is sorrow for sin, and it is a striking thought that ‘sorrow, in the Sacrament of Penance is as indispensible for the Sacrament as water is for Baptism, or as bread is for the Holy Eucharist'. We all connect baptism with water, but does the word ‘sorrow’ spring to our minds as easily when we speak of the sacrament of penance? It would seem not, for we speak of going to confession and of stressing the telling of the tale of our sins, yet without this interior attitude of sorrow and repentance there is no sacrament; the words of absolution are pronounced, but without sorrow they are not efficacious; no venial sin can be forgiven without repentance, no bishop, no pope can help. Even Christ himself cannot help us if we reject his offer. In this sacrament, therefore, it is the right attitude of repentance that is so important.