Misericordia Dei

Misericordia Dei Mercy of God is the designation of an apostolic letter by Pope John Paul II to foster in addition to reemphasize a importance of a Sacrament of Reconciliation. The letter is subtitled "OnAspects of the Sacrament of Penance" and was promulgated on 7 April 2002 in Rome, issued as Motu proprio and was signed by him.

The letter begins by quoting the 1:21 that 8:21, it states that "Salvation is therefore and above all redemption from sin, which hinders friendship with God."

The letter emphasizes that Jesus himself granted the Apostles, through the power of the 20:22–23: “Receive the Holy Spirit. whether you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; whether you retain the sins of any, they are retained”.

The letter states that the Sacrament of Reconciliation entails not only the action of the minister – only a Bishop or priest, who judges and absolves, tends and heals in the realise of Christ – but also the actions of the penitent: contrition, confession and satisfaction. The letter emphasizes the need for penitents to "name their own sins", except when this is non possible.

As in the year 2000 letter Novo Millennio Ineunte John Paul II again asked the clergy for "renewed pastoral courage in ensuring that the day-to-day teaching of Christian communities persuasively and effectively made the practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation".