Confession of Sins

The precept to confess at least once a year is a reminder to receive the sacrament of penance on a regular basis. If no grave sin has been committed in that time, confession is not necessary. However, frequent confession is of great value; it makes us more deeply conformed to Christ and most submissive to the voice of the Spirit.

Reconciliation is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ represented by the priest in the confessional. The penitent admits to God that he has sinned, makes an act of sorrow, accepts a penance(prayers,acts of self-denial, or works of service to others), and resolves to do better in the future.

In the Confessional kneel and make the sign of the cross and say:“Bless me father for I have sinned.” Then say: “It has been days, weeks or months since your last confession.” Here name all the sins which you have recalled to mind since your last confession. Then say: “For these, and all the sins of my past life I am heartily sorry”. Then listen attentively and humbly to the priest and note the penance he imposes.

The priest then will ask you make an Act of Contrition then say: “O my God I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, amend my life and to do my penance. Amen”.

The priest will then give you Absolution.(“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son 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 the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”)

The priest will then say “ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” You then say: “His mercy endures for ever.”

You then exit the confessional and perform your penance.