How To Go To Confession

    "I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven
    upon one sinner that doth penance,
    than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance." Luke 15:7

Confession has been described as the most consoling of all the Sacraments. Come to confession, not with foreboding, but trusting in the Mercy of Our Divine Lord Jesus Christ. Nobody who is breathing is beyond redemption.

Your confessor is there as your friend and advisor, not as your accuser. Don't worry if it's been a long time. He always has time to save a soul. If it has been a long time, you might want to schedule an appointment, out of courtesy, but don't delay. Most priests understand the need for an appointment. You certainly aren't the first who's been down that road.

Think of the confessional as a fire escape.

"God is burning out of you everything which is unlike himself." - Mother Teresa

Prayer before Confession

Receive my confession, O most loving and gracious Lord Jesus Christ, only hope for the salvation of my soul. Grant me true contrition of soul , so that day and night I may by penance make satisfaction for my many sins. Savior of the world, O good Jesus, Who gave Yourself to the death of the Cross to save sinners; have pity on me, and give me the light to know my sins, true sorrow for the, and a firm purpose of never committing them again.

O gracious Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of Jesus, I implore you to obtain for me by your powerful intercession these graces from your Divine Son.

St. Joseph, pray for me.

Examination of Conscience

The Commandments of God

1st commandment. Have I willfully doubted or denied my holy religion? Have I taken part in services other then those of my religion? Have I consulted fortune-tellers, or read forbidden books, or despaired of God's mercy? Have I neglected to worship God with prayer and the Mass?

2nd Commandment. Have I made false, unlawful, or unnecessary oaths? Have I taken God's name in vain?

3rd Commandment. Have I absented myself without due cause from Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation? Have I done unnecessary servile work on these days, or caused others to do so?

4th Commandment. Have I neglected my parents in their necessity? Have I been disobedient to them, or displayed anger toward them? Have I fulfilled my obligation toward my children? Instructed them? Reprimanded them when necessary? Watched over their companionships, etc.?

5th Commandment. Have I been angry? Have I been violent toward another, or caused violence without just cause? Have I been jealous of others? Have I been guilty of eating or drinking to excess?

6th and 9th Commandments. Have I deliberately taken pleasure in impure thoughts? Have I committed any willful impure actions? Have I gone to indecent places of amusement that would lead to sin? Have I kept away from other occasions of indecendy, sin?

Note: Sexual acts between two unmarried persons is always a gravely serious sin, even if you love each other, and even if you plan on getting married (i.e. engaged) This is the sin of fornication is quite probably a mortal sin. You must confess this type of activity.

Sexual acts between two persons where one of the persons is married to another constitutes the sin of Adultery. For the person who is married to another, this always is a mortal sin (per the Council of Valence), and must be confessed or risk hellfire.

These particular sins have been spelled out because there is a lot of misunderstanding about the sins of impurity in this day and age.

7th and 10th Commandments. Have I stolen anything? Defrauded others of their just wages? Cheated in prices, weights, etc.? Have I through my own fault caused damage to the property of another? Have I made restitution for past sins of this nature? Have I now any ill-gotten goods?

8th Commandment. Have I injured (without just cause) the name or reputation of another? By telling lies about him? By exposing without necessity his faults? Have I restored his good name when I have by untruth injured it?

The Precepts of the Church

1. Have I attended Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation?
2. Have I fasted on the days appointed and abstained from meat on Fridays and other days of abstinence?
3. Have I confessed at least once a year any mortal sins I may have committed?
4. Have I neglected to make my Easter duty?
5. Have I contributed to the support of my Church according to my means?
6. Have I failed in observing Church regulations with reference to the Sacrament of Matrimony?

Form of Confession

Say First: "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It is (state the time) since my last confession. Since that time I accuse myself of the following: (state your sins in number and kind) for these and all the sins of my past, especially (state a sin which has given difficulty), and my forgotten sins, I am truly sorry."

If you are not sure about a sin, ask your confessor.

The priest will give you some counsel and may ask you some questions. Be as open as possible. Your confessor is there out of care and concern for your soul.

The priest will then give you some penances, usually prayers, to perform. You should do the penance as soon as possible

The priest will than ask you to say the Act of Contrition and give you absolution of your sins.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and I fear the pains of hell, but most of all, because they offend Thee, who art all Good and deserving of all my love. I firmly intend, with the help of Thy Grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to avoid what leads me to sin. Amen.  Memorize a good act of contrition.

After Confession

Give thanks to God for forgiving you again. If you recall some serious sin you forgot to tell, rest assured that it has been forgiven with the others, but be sure to confess it in your next Confession.

Do your assigned Penance.

Resolve to return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation often. We Catholics are fortunate to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is the ordinary way for us to have our sins forgiven. This sacrament is a powerful help to get rid of our weaknesses, grow in holiness, and lead a balanced and virtuous life.