A reflection on mercy, youth, and the healing grace of forgiveness
Seven months into my teaching career, I sent a student for the first time to “Reflection.” After the day’s activities, the student approached me and asked, “Do you forgive me?”
I replied, “Oh yes, I do forgive you, but try to behave better.” He then said something I never expected: “Okay, thank you. I also forgive you.”
Surprised, I asked, “Why?”
His response was simple and disarming: “Because you really hurt me today.”
Testimony of a teacher in a Catholic School in London.
The Gift of Mercy
On 14th March 2026, our parish hosted a retreat for the confirmation candidates, themed “Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession.”
The day began with prayer and a game called Pitfalls and Graces, setting the tone for reflection and encounter.
Pope Francis frequently reminded us that, “forgiveness is a fundamental human right”. No wonder God forgives us, every time we call out to him in contrite heart. I recall my headteacher once telling us, “Smile before you sleep, forgive all and sleep with a free heart”.
Forgiveness frees the forgiven and reassures them that they are loved. The angst we feel from contrition, brings us immense joy when we hear the words “I forgive you”. Imagine a child looking tenderly at their mother, asking for forgiveness without uttering a word. That simple look alone can melt the heart—an encounter of love, mercy, and freedom.
The Wake-up Call
What is your wake-up call? Is it an alarm, a nudge, a look, what was said?
Whatever it is, that moment becomes the pivot point for a turn around/transformation. It is not the time to “snooze” for an extra-tricky five minutes.
Forgiveness as an encounter
Reflecting on the Church’s teaching, we explored the image of the priest in the confessional, drawing from St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. John Bosco, and Pope Francis.
A confessor embodies many roles:
- Healer – we encounter healing. (Matt. 9:2-8)
- Father – revealing God’s endless love, reminding us that “You are not the sum of your sins; you are an embodiment of your father’s love” St. John Paul II. (Luke 15:11-32)
- Judge – God knows our sins but calls us by our name, the devil knows our name but calls us our sins. (John 8:1-11 – he without sin should cast the first stone).
- Friend – walking with us every step of the way. (Jn. 15: 13-15)
- Teacher – I am the way, the truth and the life. (Jn. 14:6)
The rite of the sacrament of reconciliation lead us into exploring the beauty of emptying our baggage – burdens, to go free, to travel light since we are all pilgrims on earth. We had the privilege of encountering the Walker family, who lost their son, Anthony Walker, an 18-year-old black teenager murdered in a racist attack in Huyton, near Liverpool, in 2005. Learning from this family what forgiveness is and how it frees one to soar beyond the skies.
One could wonder how is it possible to keep young people for nine hours (9:30-6:30). If it bugs your mind, consider it a miracle. Just imagine keeping a teen, without phone access, in this era of short-term concentration, talking about church matters, specifically, confession (telling another my deepest and darkest moment shelved far away).
We had our Eucharistic adoration – remembering young Luis Gabriel Guembes, a 15-year-old boy from a Peruvian immigrant family recently murdered. We also had time for the sacrament of reconciliation. The day was crowned with the Eucharistic celebration for the youth, with our young people serving as welcomers, readers, collectors, choir etc.
Testimony from a parent
“Dear Father Anthony,
It was a privilege to be part of our young people’s journey and a huge thank you to you all too as Zepherin’s mum. He had the best day and was unsure what to expect at the start.Our young people really rose to the personal challenges today and they can be very proud of themselves.
Have a restful Sunday now all. God Bless
Nicole Thompson”
Final reflection
Forgiveness is easier preached than lived, but the beauty is that we have all our lifetime to keep practising. It heals, frees and transforms.
Whether between a teacher and a student, within a family or between oneself and God and even within oneself, forgiveness opens pathways to grace.
The day of retreat was more than a programme – it was an encounter with mercy, a journey into the heart of God, and a testament to what young people can experience when given space to reflect, pray and grow.
