A GUIDE FOR CONFESSION

• You can begin your confession by making the sign of the cross and greeting the priest: “Bless me father, for I have sinned.”
• The priest gives you a blessing and you may respond by reciting the words St. Peter said to Christ: “Lord you know all things; you know that I love you.”You may continue with the time since your last confession: “My last good confession was … (how many weeks, months, or years approximately.)”
• Say the sins that you remember. Start with the one that is most difficult to say. After this, it will be easier to mention the rest. If you received general absolution, tell this and the sins forgiven then to the priest.
• If you do not how to confess, feel uneasy or ashamed, simply ask the priest to assist you. Be assured he will help you make a good confession. Simply answer the questions without hiding anything out of shame or fear. Place your trust in God: He is your merciful Father and wants to forgive you.
• If you do not remember any serious sins, be sure to confess at least some of your venial sins, adding at the end: “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life, especially for ... (mention in general any past sin for which you are particularly sorry, for example all my sins against charity, purity, etc.)”
• The priest will assign you some penance and give you some advice to help you to be a better Christian.
• Listen to the words of the absolution attentively:
“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
• Answer: “Amen.” Be willing to do the penance as soon as possible. This penance will diminish the temporal punishment in Purgatory due to sins already forgiven.
• The priest will dimiss you with the following or some similar prayer:
“May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin mary and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace.”