They are faults. One must work to overcome faults and in so doing one becomes more and more what they were created to be and more and more attractive, likeable and loveable. One grows in their self-esteem while at the same time realizing that all that is happening is the work of God. This is the healing that comes from the Sacrament. Another most consoling thing about confession is something most priests never talk about either because they are not absolutely sure it happened, or because they don't want to be thought of as really a living saint, or because they are afraid it may sound like they are breaking the seal of confession.
Most priests like to say a few words of encouragement after a person has confessed their sins.
Occasionally, a priest will find himself saying some-thing that they really weren't going to say, or it is something that is sort of out of their character. When this happens, it is God directly speaking to the penitent through the priest. If the priest is aware of this happening, and it happens more than most people realize, it is a very humbling experience and awesome in seeing just how real God is in this world and just how much he really cares and loves each human being. Seeing and experiencing God's hand in the lives of humans is a profound and moving experience. God knows human nature as only a creator can and he loves his creations as only a God can.