Preparing for Confession

The Sacrament of Penance

This is a sacrament of conversion. In it, we are reconciled to God and to each other.

Because we are loved by God, and humans who tend to sin,

we need the Sacrament of Penance.

Penance frees us from sin and restores our relationships with

God and others.

Sin is Moral Evil

Choosing to do something that we know is wrong, that we know will harm ourselves, others and God, is sin.

How grave is the sin? Venial sins are lesser sins, but by repetition can lead to mortal sin and/or a life of vice Mortal Sin requires three things:

Grave Matter Full knowledge of the

sinfulness of the act Complete consent – act is

committed freely and deliberately

Steps for a good confession

1. A sincere examination of conscience: What have I done (or not done) that has or is

causing hurt? Sin always wounds someone. It is essential to be truthful with yourself.

Use the booklet on confession, the 10 Commandments, or simply reflect on the relationships in your life with family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, the poor and disenfranchised, yourself and God. There are also online video examinations of conscience on youtube.

Steps for a good confession

2. A sense of justice:

Spend some time thinking about what you have done – or failed to do – and what you would consider a just punishment if someone had done the same to you. Consider what you might need to do to

repair/restore the wrong you have done.

Steps for a good confession

3. A sense of contrition/sorrow:

Why are you sorry for your sins? Fear of punishment? Acting out of anger or passion in ways you

ordinarily would not? The harm you have done to yourself? The harm you have caused others? The hurt you have caused God?

Steps for a good confession

4. A reflection on restoring the peace:

What will it take to restore the relationships you have damaged to a peace-filled, loving relationship? What will you need to do? Say? What will others have to forgive? What

would you like that forgiveness to look like?

Steps for a good confession 5. After reflection, approach the priest

At the Penance Service on March 17, there will be several priests. You can confess to any one of them. Start by telling the priest that you are

joining the Church at Easter and that this is your first confession. He will help you through the sacrament.

Steps for a good confession

6. Confess your sins

All mortal sins must be confessed. Venial sins that are habitual or especially

troubling should be confessed.

Steps for a good confession 7. Say you are sorry.

During a communal Penance service, the Act of Contrition is sometimes prayed together, or Use a traditional Act of Contrition (you can

bring the booklet with you.) Or tell God you are sorry for your sins in

your own words.

Steps for a good confession

8. Listen to whatever the priest advises.

At a communal Penance service, a general penance is assigned, but the priest may offer some advice pertinent to your situation.

Steps for a good confession

9. Bow your head for absolution:

The priest will pray the words of absolution, signing you with the Sign of the Cross as he does so.

Steps for a good confession

10. Go in peace:

Return to a pew for prayers of penance and thanksgiving to God for the gift of mercy before leaving.

Celebration of the Sacrament Penance may be celebrated as

often as the penitent feels necessary. The Church requires us to celebrate this sacrament once a year, or any time we commit a MORTAL sin.

In most parishes, a Penance Service is held during the seasons of Advent and Lent, and confessions are heard weekly, or by appointment with a priest.

The minister of Penance is a priest or bishop.

Ordinarily, Penance is celebrated before First Eucharist around the age of seven.

The priest then prays the words of absolution: "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.“ As the priest says, in the name of the Father,… the penitent makes the Sign of the Cross. He will generally dismiss the penitent with “Peace be with you” or similar words.

After confession

Penance is done as prescribed by the priest. It may be prayer, acts of charity or other acts intended to bring healing to relationships, restitution for wrong-doing and a habitual change in the sinner’s behavior. Regardless of the penance, ordinarily the penitent spends time in prayer immediately after confession.