What is the expected effect of valid confession?

What is the expected effect of valid confession?

• A. The soul is cleansed of all sin.
• B. The soul is forgiven, but remains in sin.
• C. The soul is raised to a higher spiritual plane.
• D. The soul is returned to baptismal splendor.

Answer: (D)

The effect of a valid confession is to restore the grace lost by mortal sin, bringing the soul back to its baptismal state. When sins are confessed with genuine contrition and the priest grants absolution, the penitent is reconciled with God and the Church, and the sanctifying grace that baptism began is restored—often described as returning the soul to baptismal splendor. Confession also forgives venial sins and removes the guilt of mortal sin, though it doesn’t promise a sinless life or a higher spiritual plane beyond that restored state; it simply returns the soul to its rightful place in grace.

The effect of a valid confession is to restore the grace lost by mortal sin, bringing the soul back to its baptismal state. When sins are confessed with genuine contrition and the priest grants absolution, the penitent is reconciled with God and the Church, and the sanctifying grace that baptism began is restored—often described as returning the soul to baptismal splendor. Confession also forgives venial sins and removes the guilt of mortal sin, though it doesn’t promise a sinless life or a higher spiritual plane beyond that restored state; it simply returns the soul to its rightful place in grace.