How to go to Confession

The key to a good confession is preparation, one wants to have a solid look at their life since their last Confession. We call this an Examination of Conscience, a time of prayer and self-awareness prior to seeing the priest. It allows the confession to be focused on the presence of Christ and makes the penitent (the one who is confessing) less stressed out.

After the Examination of Conscience, you are ready to go to Confession. At the Catholic Center, our Confessions are done typically face-to-face in the Chapel Office. A small greeting usually takes place by the priest and the penitent starts by making the Sign of the Cross and saying "Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been (state the length of time) since my last confession." This is again not for judgement, but for clarity. "It's been a long time" for one person may mean 20 years and for another 20 hours, so it just helps the priest know and gear his words accordingly. If you are not sure, make your best estimate.

Next the penitent states his/her sins and the number of times he/she committed them - use the examination of conscience as a guide. Details are not needed, but the priest may ask for some clarification. The penitent typically ends with "For these and all my sins I am truly sorry."

The priest may talk with the penitent to give guidance or advice and will give you a penance to do as some sign that you are willing to continue to work against sin in your life. After the penance the priest will ask you to make an Act of Contrition, of which there are many versions. One Act of Contrition that you might have learned is "Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all of my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend thee my God, whom are all Good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen!"

The priest will then say the prayer of Absolution over the penitent concluding with "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (the penitent makes the sign of the Cross when these words are said). A prayer of Thanksgiving ("Thanks be to God") may be said by the Penitent and/or a salutation by the priest, before the penitent may leave the confessional.

The penitent then typically goes to the chapel or another place to perform his/her penance, which should be done as soon as possible so it is not forgotten.