It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.
Luke 23:44–46 (RSV)
In the Temple was the Holy of Holies, the inner chamber where the high priest would enter with the blood of the sacrifice once a year. He would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. Between the Holy of Holies and the people was a curtain. No one, save the high priest, was allowed to enter. Thus the forgiveness of sin for all the people came from this one act, once a year.
As Jesus died on the cross, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from all people was torn from top to bottom. The Perfect Sacrifice has opened the way for the Father's forgiveness to come to all.
Jesus gives the whole Church the gift of forgiveness. There is now no barrier between us and God's grace. By the dying and rising of Jesus, our reconciliation to the Father is complete. Nothing comes between us and forgiveness, which we can freely offer and receive.