Confession is your chance to ask God for forgiveness and receive His mercy. Before you enter the confessional, take a few moments to gather your thoughts and think about what you may have done to hurt others and what you can do better as a Christian. A sincere Confession is a chance to renew your soul and open yourself to the Grace of God.
1. Greet the Priest, then bless yourself with the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.” State, as best you can, how long it’s been since your last confession.
2. Then confess your sins to the priest as well as you can.
The priest gives a suitable penance, usually a prayer to be said. The penance is to be performed after the Sacrament of Reconciliation is finished. The priest may offer some words of advice to assist your growth in the spiritual life.
3. The priest will invite you to make an Act of Sorrow.
O my God, I thank you for loving me.
I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving others and not loving you.
Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen
4. The priest will extend his hands and say the prayer of forgiveness, known as Absolution.
Don’t forget to do your penance and to say a prayer of thanks to God acknowledging the joy of being uplifted and renewed in the name of Christ.
Prayer before Confession
Come Holy Spirit into my soul.
Enlighten my mind that I may know the sins I ought to confess,
and grant me Your grace to confess them fully, humbly and with contrite heart.
Help me to firmly resolve not to commit them again.
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my Redeemer, intercede for me through the Passion of Your Son, that I may obtain the grace to make a good confession.
All you blessed Angels and Saints of God, pray for me, a sinner, that I may repent of my sins, and that my heart may be forever united with yours in eternal love.
Amen.
Prayer after Confession
My dear Jesus, I have told all my sins to the best of my ability. I sincerely tried to make a good confession and I know that you have forgiven me. Thank you dear Jesus! Your divine heart is full of love and mercy for poor sinners. I love You dear Jesus; you are so good to me. My loving Savior, I shall try to keep from sin and to love You more each day. Dearest Mother Mary, pray for me and help me to keep all my promises. Protect me and do not let me fall back into sin. Dear God, help me to lead a good life. Without Your grace I can do nothing.
Amen.