Kevin, (continued)
Of course one should go to Confession as soon as possible (immediately) if they are sins of the flesh: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing). People die suddenly, without the opportunity of going to Confession and sometimes people are no longer conscious for some time before dying. We should seek God's mercy in the Sacrament of Confession now, when it is available to us. I have written before that Joe and people in his situation - engulfed in habitual sin (like the organist at my Church) have to choose between Jesus and remaining in their sin. The choice of course is always theirs. God will not force but He is so very happy when we choose to live in His light rather than live in our own darkness. He wants us to want to please Him and not our selfish desires! You have mentioned making a public act of repentance before the Divine Mercy image. (continued