SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

Catechism Document

Image courtesy: The Three Rites of Reconciliation - The Sacrament of Reconciliation (weebly.com)

Notes: Ignatian Spirituality begins with practice of “Examination of Conscience”. Document is prepared
for Instruction of faith to Digital Literate. It must be shared with Digital illiterate through in-person
communicative relationship. Must redress Digital Barriers and Denial of Service (DoS) as the risk to this
documentation.

Topics
 Examination of Conscience (guide for examination of conscience)
 Prayer before Confession
 In the Confessional
 Absolution
 Prayer after Confession
 Thanksgiving after Confession

Guide For Examination of Conscience is from Bible Diary® 2021 That They May Have Life (Popular
Edition), Bangalore: Claretian Publications, 2021 and A Detailed Catholic Examination of Conscience
(Second Edition) Step-by-Step Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (elftreejournal.com),
https://elftreejournal.com/step-by-step-guide-to-the-sacrament-of-reconciliation/ Retrieved on April 25,
2022.
Guide for an Examination of Conscience
If you are anxious or unsure of what to do, take this guide with you or tell any priest, who will help you
and make it easier for you to go to a confession.

Scriptural Reference: John 20:21-23; 1John 1:8-10; 1John 5:16-17; James 5:16; Luke 8:17

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have

strange gods before me.

Respons
e
 Do I seek to love God with all my heart and with all my heart and with all
my soul and with all my strength (Deut 6:5)? Do I put anything or anyone
above God? Do I pray daily?

 Have I had any involvement with the occult, witchcraft, wicca, Ouija
boards, séances, tarot cards, new age crystals, fortune telling or the like?
Have I put faith in horoscopes?

 Have I received Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin?

 Have I abused the Sacrament of Penance by lying to the priest or

deliberately not confession a mortal sin?

 Have I have I denied a truth of faith out of concern for the respect or
opinion of others?

 Have I reserved or harbored hatred for God?

 Have I disobeyed the commandments of God or the Church?

 Have I refused to accept what God has revealed as true, or what the
Catholic Church proclaims for belief?

 Have I denied the existence of God?

 Have I neglected to nourish and protect my faith?

 Have I neglected to reject everything opposed to a sound faith?

  Have I deliberately misled others about doctrine or the faith?

 Have I rejected the Catholic faith, joined another Christian denomination,

or joined or practiced another religion?

 Have I joined a group forbidden to Catholics (Masons, communists, etc.)?

 Have I despaired about my salvation or the forgiveness of my sins?

 Have I presumed God's mercy? (Committing a sin in expectation of

forgiveness, or asking for forgiveness without interior conversion and
practicing virtue.)

 Have I loved someone or something more than God (money, power, sex,
ambition, etc.)?

 Have I let someone or something influence my choices more than God?

 Have I engaged in superstitious practices? (Incl. horoscopes, fortune

tellers, etc.)
 Have I been involved in the occult or occult practices? (Séances, Ouija
board, worship of Satan, etc.)

 Have I formally attempted to leave the Catholic Church?

 Have I hidden a serious sin or told a lie in Confession?

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord

your God in vain.
Respons
e
 Have I used God’s holy name irreverently?

 Have I blasphemed God, the Church, Mother Mary, the saints or sacred
places or things?

 Have I used the name of God in cursing or blasphemy?

  Have I failed to keep vows, promises, or resolutions that I have made to
God? [specify in the confessional which one; the Priest has authority to
remove the obligations of promises and resolutions if they are too rash or
unjust]

 Have I spoken about the Faith, the Church, the saints, or sacred things
with irreverence, hatred or defiance?

 Have I watched television or movies, or listened to music that treated

God, the Church, the saints, or sacred things irreverently?

 Have I used vulgar, suggestive or obscene speech?

 Have I belittled others in my speech?

 Have I behaved disrespectfully in the church building (e.g., talking

immoderately in church before, during, after holy Mass)?

 Have I misused places or things set apart for the worship of God?

 Have I committed perjury? (Breaking an oath or lying under oath.)

 Have I blamed God for my failings?

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

Respons
e
 Do I try to keep Sunday as a day of prayer, rest and relaxation, avoiding
unnecessary work?

 Have I deliberately come late or left early from Mass without a good
reason?

 Have I missed Mass on Sunday or Holy Days (through own fault w/o
sufficient reason)?

 Have I neglected to set time aside each day for personal prayer to God?

 Have I committed a sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament (thrown Him

away; brought Him home; treated Him carelessly, etc.)?
  Have I received any sacrament while in the state of mortal sin?

 Have I habitually come late to and/or leave early from Mass?

 Have I shop, labor, practice sports or do business unnecessarily on

Sunday or other Holy Days of Obligation?

 Have I not attended to taking my children to Mass?

 Have I not provided proper instruction in the Faith to my children?

 Have I knowingly eaten meat on a forbidden day (or not fasted on a fast
day)?

 Have I eaten or drunken within one hour of receiving Communion (other

than medical need)?

4. Honor your father and your mother.

Respons
e
 Do I honor and respect my parents?

 Have I deliberately hurt my parents?

 Do I treat my children with love and respect?

 Do I support and care for the well-being of all family members?

 Have I neglected family duties?

 Do I honor and obey my lawful superiors?

 Have I (if still under my parents' care) obeyed all that my parents
reasonably asked of me?

 Have I shown disregard for my parents wishes, displayed contempt of

their demands, and/or disdained their very being?

 Have I neglected the needs of my parents in their old age or in their time
of need?
 Have I harbored hatred for my parents?

 Have I brought shame on them?

 Have I (if still in school) obeyed the reasonable demands of my teachers?

 Have I disrespected my teachers?

 Have I (if I have children) neglected to give my children proper food,

clothing, shelter, education, discipline and care (even after
Confirmation)?

 Have I provided for the religious education and formation of my children

for as long as they are under my care?

 Have I ensured that my children still under my care regularly frequent the
sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion?

 Have I educated my children in a way that corresponds to Catholic

religious disciplines?

 Have I provided my children with a positive, prudent and personalized

education in the Catholic teaching on human sexuality?

 Have I been to my children a good example of how to live the Catholic

Faith?

 Have I prayed with and for my children?

 Have I (for everyone) lived in humble obedience to those who

legitimately exercise authority over me?

 Have I broken any just law?

 Have I supported or voted for a politician whose positions are opposed to

the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church?

 Have I failed to pray for the deceased members of my family . . . the Poor
Souls of Purgatory included?
5. You shall not kill.

Respons
e
 Have I deliberately harmed anyone?

 Have I been involved in an abortion or encouraged others an abortion?

 Have I attempted suicide or seriously considered it?

 Have I abused drugs or alcohol?

 Have I led anyone to sin through bad example or through direct

encouragement?

 Have I unjustly and intentionally killed a human being (murder)?

 Have I been guilty, through negligence and/or lacking of intention, of the

death of another (killing)?

 Have I been involved in an abortion, directly or indirectly (through advice,

encouragement, providing money, or facilitating it in any other way)?

 Have I seriously considered or attempted suicide?

 Have I supported, promoted, or encouraged the practice of assisted

suicide or mercy killing (euthanasia)?

 Have I deliberately desired to kill an innocent human being?

 Have I unjustly inflicted bodily harm on another person?

 Have I unjustly threatened another person with bodily harm?

 Have I verbally or emotionally abused another person?

 Have I gossiped, slandered, detracted, calumniated?

 Have I hated another person, or wished him/her evil?

 Have I been prejudiced, or unjustly discriminated against others because
of their race, color, nationality, sex or religion?

 Have I joined a hate group?

 Have I purposely provoked another by teasing or nagging?

 Have I recklessly endangered my life or health, or that of another, by my

actions?

 Have I driven recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs?

 Have I abused alcohol or other drugs?

 Have I sold or given drugs to others to use for non-therapeutic purposes?

 Have I used tobacco immoderately?

 Have I over-eaten?

 Have I encouraged others to sin by giving scandal?

 Have I helped another to commit a mortal sin (through advice, driving

them somewhere, dressing and/or acting immodestly, etc.)?

 Have I caused serious injury of another by criminal neglect?

 Have I indulged in unjust anger?

 Have I refused to control my temper?

 Have I been fateful to, quarreled with, or willfully hurt someone?

 Have I been unforgiving of others, especially when mercy or pardon was

requested?

 Have I sought revenge or hoped something bad would happen to

someone?

 Have I delighted to see someone else get hurt or suffer?

 Have I treated animals cruelly, causing them to suffer or die needlessly?

6. You shall not commit adultery.

Respons
e
 For the married: Am I faithful to my spouse in thought and action?

 Have I used artificial contraception or been sterilized?

 Was I married outside the Church without proper permission of the

Church?

 For the unmarried: Have I engaged in sexual activity with anyone of

either sex?

 For all: Have I deliberately viewed pornographic magazines, videos or

internet websites?

 Have I used impure language or told impure jokes?

 Have I neglected to practice and grow in the virtue of chastity?

 Have I given in to lust? (The desire for sexual pleasure unrelated to

spousal love in marriage)

 Have I used an artificial means of birth control (including withdrawal)?

 Have I refused to be open to conception, without just cause? (Catechism,

2368)

 Have I participated in immoral techniques such as in vitro fertilization or

artificial insemination?

 Have I sterilized my sex organs for contraceptive purposes?

 Have I deprived my spouse of the marital right, without just cause?

 Have I claimed my own marital right without concern for my spouse?

 Have I deliberately caused male climax outside of normal sexual

intercourse?
 Have I masturbated? (Deliberate stimulation of one's own sexual organs
for sexual pleasure outside of the conjugal act.) (Catechism, 2366)

 Have I willfully entertained impure thoughts?

 Have I purchased, viewed, or made use of pornography?

 Have I watched or promoted movies and television that involve sex and
nudity?

 Have I listened to music or jokes that are harmful to purity? Read books
that are immoral?

 Have I committed adultery? (Sexual relations with someone who is

married, or with someone other than my spouse.)

 Have I committed incest? (Sexual relations with a relative closer than the
third degree or an in-law.)

 Have I committed fornication? (Sexual relations with someone of the

opposite sex when the two are not married to one another or any
others.)

 Have I engaged in homosexual activity? (Sexual activity with someone of

the same sex)

 Have I committed rape?

 Have I engaged in sexual foreplay (e.g., “petting”, or excessive touching)

reserved for marriage?

 Have I preyed upon children or youth for my sexual pleasure

(pedophilia)?

 Have I engaged in unnatural sexual activities (anything that is not

inherently natural to the sexual act; e.g., sex toys, even in the context of
marriage)?

 Have I engaged in prostitution, or paid for the services of a prostitute?

 Have I seduced someone, or allowed myself to be seduced?

 Have I made uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances toward another?

 Have I purposely dressed immodestly?

7. You shall not steal.

Respons
e
 Have I stolen or accepted stolen goods?

 Have I deliberately destroyed the property of others?

 Have I cheated anyone of what I owe?

 Do I gamble excessively?

 Do I share what I have with the poor and the Church, according to my
means?

 Have I pirated or copied materials: videos, music, software?

 Have I stolen? (taken something that doesn't belong to me against the

reasonable will of the owner.)

 Have I envied others on account of their possessions?

 Have I neglected to live in a spirit of Gospel poverty and simplicity?

 Have I neglected to give generously to others in need?

 Have I not considered that God has provided me with money so that I
might use it to benefit others, as well as for my own legitimate needs?

 Have I allowed myself to be conformed to a consumer mentality (buy,

buy buy, throw away, waste, spend, spend, spend?

 Have I neglected to practice the corporal works of mercy?

 Have I deliberately defaced, destroyed or lost another's property?

 Have I cheated on a test, taxes, sports, games, or in business?

 Have I squandered money in compulsive gambling?

 Have I make a false claim to an insurance company?

  Have I paid my employees a living wage, or failed to give a full day's work
for a full day's pay?

 Have I failed to honor my part of a contract?

 Have I failed to make good on a debt?

 Have I overcharge someone, especially to take advantage of another's

hardship or ignorance?

 Have I misused natural resources?

8. You shall not bear false witness against

your neighbor.
Respons
e
 Have I lied? Have I sworn falsely?

 Have I plagiarized or been academically dishonest?

 Have I gossiped? Have I revealed secrets or confidential information

without good reason?

 Have I ruined the good name of other by spreading lies or maliciously

revealing their faults and sins?

 Have I lied?

 Have I knowingly and willfully deceived another?

 Have I perjured myself under oath?

 Have I gossiped?

 Have I committed detraction? (Destroying a person's reputation by telling

others about his faults for no good reason.)

 Have I committed slander or calumny? (Telling lies about another person

in order to destroy his reputation.)
  Have I committed libel? (Writing lies about another person in order to
destroy his reputation. Libel is in substance different from slander
because the written word has a longer "life" of damage)

 Have I been guilty of rash judgment? (Assuming the worst of another

person based on circumstantial evidence.)

 Have I failed to make reparation for a lie I told, or for harm done to a
person's reputation?

 Have I failed to speak out in defense of the Catholic Faith, the Church, or
of another person?

 Have I betrayed another's confidence through speech, deed, or in

writing?

9. You shall not desire your neighbor’s wife.

Respons
e
 Have I deliberately and consciously permitted sexual thoughts about
anyone besides my spouse?

 Do I guard my imagination and senses?

 Have I watched shows, plays, pictures or movies that contain impure

scenes with the deliberate intention of being aroused by them? Am I
responsible about what I read?

 Have I neglected to practice and grow in the virtue of chastity?

 Have I given in to lust? (The desire for sexual pleasure unrelated to

spousal love in marriage)

 Have I used an artificial means of birth control (including withdrawal)?

 Have I refused to be open to conception, without just cause? (Catechism,

2368)

 Have I participated in immoral techniques such as in vitro fertilization or

artificial insemination?
 Have I sterilized my sex organs for contraceptive purposes?

 Have I deprived my spouse of the marital right, without just cause?

 Have I claimed my own marital right without concern for my spouse?

 Have I deliberately caused male climax outside of normal sexual

intercourse?

 Have I masturbated? (Deliberate stimulation of one's own sexual organs

for sexual pleasure outside of the conjugal act.) (Catechism, 2366)

 Have I willfully entertained impure thoughts?

 Have I purchased, viewed, or made use of pornography?

 Have I watched or promoted movies and television that involve sex and
nudity?

 Have I listened to music or jokes that are harmful to purity? Read books
that are immoral?

 Have I committed adultery? (Sexual relations with someone who is

married, or with someone other than my spouse.)

 Have I committed incest? (Sexual relations with a relative closer than the
third degree or an in-law.)

 Have I committed fornication? (Sexual relations with someone of the

opposite sex when the two are not married to one another or any
others.)

 Have I engaged in homosexual activity? (Sexual activity with someone of

the same sex)

 Have I committed rape?

 Have I engaged in sexual foreplay (e.g., “petting”, or excessive touching)

reserved for marriage?

 Have I preyed upon children or youth for my sexual pleasure

(pedophilia)?
  Have I engaged in unnatural sexual activities (anything that is not
inherently natural to the sexual act; e.g., sex toys, even in the context of
marriage)?

 Have I engaged in prostitution, or paid for the services of a prostitute?

 Have I seduced someone, or allowed myself to be seduced?

 Have I made uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances toward another?

 Have I purposely dressed immodestly?

10. You shall not desire your neighbor’s goods.

Respons
e
 Am I envious of the possessions, abilities, talents, beauty or success of
others?

 Have I stolen? (Taken something that doesn't belong to me against the

reasonable will of the owner.)

 Have I envied others on account of their possessions?

 Have I neglected to live in a spirit of Gospel poverty and simplicity?

 Have I neglected to give generously to others in need?

 Have I not considered that God has provided me with money so that I
might use it to benefit others, as well as for my own legitimate needs?

 Have I allowed myself to be conformed to a consumer mentality (buy,

buy buy, throw away, waste, spend, spend, spend?

 Have I neglected to practice the corporal works of mercy?

 Have I deliberately defaced, destroyed or lost another's property?

 Have I cheated on a test, taxes, sports, games, or in business?

 Have I squandered money in compulsive gambling?

  Have I make a false claim to an insurance company?

 Have I paid my employees a living wage, or failed to give a full day's work
for a full day's pay?

 Have I failed to honor my part of a contract?

 Have I failed to make good on a debt?

 Have I overcharge someone, especially to take advantage of another's

hardship or ignorance?

 Have I misused natural resources?

You shall love your neighbor as

yourself.
Respons
e
 Do I love my neighbor? Is there anyone whom I do not love or refuse to
love?

 Have I wished harm or misfortune on anyone?

 Do I forgive from my heart those who have hurt me? Do I harbor hatred
or grudges?

 Do I pray for my enemies? Have I ridiculed or humiliated others?

 Do I seek to help others in need?

 Do I love myself as God loves me? Do I care for my physical, emotional

and spiritual health?

 Do I forgive myself for my sins after bringing them to God in the

Sacrament of Reconciliation?
2. Do I perform at least one of the
works of Mercy on a regular
Respons
basis?
e
1. Feed the hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Clothe the naked

4. Shelter the homeless

5. Comfort the prisoners

6. Visit the sick

7. Bury the dead

3. Spiritual Works
Respons
e
1. Teach the ignorant.

2. Pray for the living and the dead.

3. Correct sinners.

4. Counsel those in doubt.

5. Console the sorrowful.

6. Bear wrongs patiently.

7. Forgive wrongs willingly.

4. Have I succumbed to any one of
the seven deadly sins?
Respons
e
 Lust

 Gluttony

 Greed

 Sloth

 Wrath

 Envy

 Pride

5. Am I obedient to the
PRECEPTS OF THE
Respons
CHURCH?
e
First Precept of the Church: You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of
Obligation and rest from servile labor.

 Do I try to keep Sunday as a day of prayer, rest and relaxation, avoiding

unnecessary work?

 Have I deliberately come late or left early from Mass without a good
reason?

 Have I missed Mass on Sunday or Holy Days (through own fault w/o
sufficient reason)?

 Have I neglected to set time aside each day for personal prayer to God?
  Have I committed a sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament (thrown Him
away; brought Him home; treated Him carelessly, etc.)?

 Have I received any sacrament while in the state of mortal sin?

 Have I habitually come late to and/or leave early from Mass?

 Have I shop, labor, practice sports or do business unnecessarily on

Sunday or other Holy Days of Obligation?

 Have I not attended to taking my children to Mass?

 Have I not provided proper instruction in the Faith to my children?

 Have I knowingly eaten meat on a forbidden day (or not fasted on a fast
day)?

 Have I eaten or drunken within one hour of receiving Communion (other

than medical need)?

Second Precept of the Church: You shall confess your sins (to a Priest) at least
once a year.

 Have I made a good Confession of my mortal sins at least once a year?

 Have I purposely omitted telling my mortal sins in my last Confession?

 Have I neglected to perform the penance I was given?

 Have I neglected to make reparation for any harm I have done to others?

Third Precept of the Church: You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy
Communion at least once during the Easter season.

 Have I neglected to fulfill my Easter duty to receive Holy Communion at

least once between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday?

 Have I received Holy Communion while in the state of mortal sin?

 Have I failed to fast for at least one hour before receiving Holy
Communion?

 Have I received Holy Communion more than twice in one day?

Fourth Precept of the Church: You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting
and abstinence established by the Church.
  Have I neglected to do penance every Friday of the year, if not abstaining
from meat?

 Have I neglected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the

Fridays of Lent (if I am 14 years of age and/or older)?

 Have I neglected to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (if I am

between the ages of 18 and 59)?

 Have I participated in diversions on days of penance (e.g., attended

crawfish boils and fish fries, ballgames, movies, shopping on Ash
Wednesday & Good Friday)?

 Have I neglected to spend time in prayer, do spiritual and corporal works

of mercy, and practice self-denial?

Fifth Precept of the Church: You shall contribute to the support of the Church.

 Have I neglected to contribute a just amount of my time, talents and

money to support my parish and the work of the Church?

 Have I neglected to support the Church by not trying to become a saint

or by not striving to make sincere progress each day in sanctity?

An Additional Precept of the Church: You shall observe the laws of the Church
concerning marriage.

 Have I been living in a invalid and/or illicit marriage according to the laws
of the Catholic Church?

 Have I abandoned my spouse and/or family by separation or divorce?

 Have I kept company with someone whom I cannot marry in the Catholic
Church?

 Have I given scandal by living with a member of the opposite sex without
the benefit of a marriage blessed by the Catholic Church?

 Have I entered into marriage with more than one person at the same
time?

 Have I failed to embrace the teachings given by the Catholic Church,

which are supported by the Natural Law: that marriage can only exist
between one man and one woman, and that no other union (i.e.,
between members of the same sex) can be a valid natural and/or
sacramental marriage? [If one holds that same sex unions can be valid
 marriages he must recant and repent before he can make a valid
confession.]

 Have I supported pro same-sex union politicians?

 Have I publicly proclaimed that the Church's teaching on marriage is

wrong and as such taught others to reject it?

Generic Examination of
Conscience (Five Precepts of the
Church)
1. Have I deliberately missed Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of obligation
without a serious reason?

2. Do I go to confession at least once a year when I have serious sins to

confess?

3. Do I receive Holy Communion at least once during Easter Season?

4. Do I take part in the major feasts celebrating Our Lord, the Virgin Mary
and the saints?

5. Do I abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent (for ages 14 and over) and
fast on one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (for ages 18-
59)?

6. Do I fast on one hour before Holy Communion (water and medicine

allowed)?

7. Do I contribute to support the material needs of the Church?

Sacrament of Penance
PRAYER BEFORE CONFESSION
I, a great sinner, come before you Lord, acknowledging my many sins and with an earnest desire to
repent and to sin no more. Grant me perfect contrition for my sins, that I may detest them with deep
sorrow. Send forth your light into my soul and reveal to me all those sins which I ought to confess at this
time. Assist me with your grace that I may be sincere and humble in confessing them.

O Mary, my mother, be with me and help me to obtain remission of my sins with a contrite heart. Amen.

IN THE CONFESSIONAL
The penitent and the priest begin with the sign of the Cross saying: In the Name of the Father and of
the son and of the Holy Spirit.

The priest urges the penitent to have confidence in God with these or similar words: May the Lord be in
your heart and help you to confess your sins with true sorrow.

The priest may read or say a passage from sacred scripture after which the penitent then states: “Bless
me, Father for I have sinned. My last confession was (_________________ days/months/years) ago
and these are my sins.” Confess your sins clearly and sincerely.

When you have finished confessing all the sins that you remember, say. For all these sins and the sins of
my past life which I have forgotten, I ask absolution and penance from you. Father.

Listen attentively to the advice and the penance the priest will give you. At his invitation, recite the Act
of Contrition. After having recited the Act of Contrition, bow your head and receive the priest’s
absolution with humility and gratitude. Follow his words, attentively and join him in saying the closing
“Amen”.

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just
punishments, 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, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of
sin. Amen.

OR

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 are all
good and deserving of all my love. And I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins,
to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

Absolution
Confessor: 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. Amen.

Prayer after Confession

Penitent: Almighty and merciful God, once again you have shown me your tender mercy by accepting
me back even though I have gone on my own way. I renounce with my whole heart all the sins of my
past life and resolve to commit them no more. I promise to hate sin and to avoid all the occasions that
lead to it. Lord, without you I can do nothing; therefore, trusting in your grace I want to begin a new life.
Mary, my mother, be at my side and assist me always.

Thanksgiving after Confession

I thank You Jesus for the blessings of this Sacrament of forgiveness and for Your pardon and peace,
Immaculate Virgin, my Guardian Angel and all you Saints, by your powerful intercession obtain for me
the grace never to sin again. Amen.
 Confession: A “How To” Guide
Forgotten how to go to confession, or never learned? Here are the “How to’s” for the Sacrament of
Penance (i.e., confession).

It should be noted that any person may request to receive absolution in the Extraordinary Form at St.
Joan of Arc. (This changes nothing of what the penitent has to do. Only the Priest will say different
prayers, and in Latin.)

Penitent: the person confessing his sins.

Confessor: the Priest administering the Sacrament.
1. The Penitent enters the confessional and kneels down at the screen.
2. The Penitent, making the sign of the cross, says, Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been
________ (state amount of time) since my last confession. These are my sins.
3. The Penitent confesses his sins. The Confessor listens, but he may ask questions if something the
Penitent has said is unclear or in order to lead the Penitent to a more thorough examination of
conscience. (NB. All mortal sins – each kind and the number of times committed – must be
confessed. All venial sins should be confessed.)
4. When the Penitent finishes confessing, he signifies this by saying: For these and all my sins, I ask
forgiveness of God and absolution from you, Father. The Confessor may offer some advice or
counsel, so that the Penitent may take the necessary steps to amend his life.
5. The Confessor then gives a penance (usually a prayer or a good work) and then instructs the
Penitent to make an Act of Contrition. There are different formulas. An act of Contrition is
usually printed in the confessional.
6. After the Penitent has made an Act of Contrition, the Confessor imparts absolution with the
sacramental formula. The Penitent makes the Sign of the Cross at the absolution.
7. The Confessor concludes with these or similar words: Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace. The
Penitent responds, saying: Thanks be to God.
8. The Penitent leaves the confessional and fulfills the penance as soon as possible.
Simpler Informal Narrative of Sacrament of Penance

Rite of Reconciliation
1. Father welcomes you.

2. Begin with:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Amen.

3. Listen to the prayer or reading. Optional

4. Tell Father that this is your first confession.

If this is not your first confession, tell Father how long it has been since your last confession.

5. Share your sins with Father.

Father may talk with you about your sins and give you some advice.

6. Listen to and remember your penance.

To help you keep away from sin, Father will give you something to do.

7. Pray the Act of Contrition:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I
have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your help to do
penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our savior Jesus Christ suffered and
died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

8. Father will give you absolution by praying:

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. Amen.

9. Give Praise to God.

Father will say a short prayer. You say: Thanks be to God.

10. Do your penance.

Remember to do your penance that Father asked you to do.

PDF Source: Cloudfront.net (retrieved on April 25, 2022)