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The basic
requirement for a good confession is to have the intention of returning to
God like the "prodigal son" and to acknowledge our sins with true sorrow
before the priest.
If you
need help–especially if you have been away for some time–simply ask the
priest and he will help you by "walking" you through the steps to make a
good confession.
Before Confession
Be truly
sorry for your sins. The essential act of Penance, on the part of the
penitent, is contrition, a clear and decisive rejection of the sin
committed, together with a resolution not to commit it again, out of the
love one has for God and which is reborn with repentance. The resolution
to avoid committing these sins in the future (amendment) is a sure sign
that your sorrow is genuine and authentic. This does not mean that a
promise never to fall again into sin is necessary. A resolution to try to
avoid the near occasions of sin suffices for true repentance. God's grace
in cooperation with the intention to rectify your life will give you the
strength to resist and overcome temptation in the future.
During Confession
After
examining your conscience and telling God of your sorrow, go into the
confessional. You may kneel at the screen or sit to talk face-to-face with
the priest.
Begin your
confession with the sign of the cross, "In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. My last confession was ______ weeks
(months, years) ago."
The priest
may read a passage from holy Scripture.
Say the
sins that you remember. Start with the ones that are most difficult to
say. In order to make a good confession the faithful must confess all
mortal sins, according to kind and number. After confessing all the sins
you remember since your last good confession, you may conclude by saying,
"I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life."
Listen to
the words of the priest. He will assign you some penance. Doing the
penance will diminish the temporal punishment due to sins already
forgiven. When invited, express some prayer of sorrow or Act of Contrition
such as:
Act of
Contrition: "O
my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you and I detest all my
sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. But most
of all because I have offended you, my God, who are all good and deserving
of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace, to confess
my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen."
At the End of Confession
Listen to
the words of absolution, the sacramental forgiveness of the Church through
the ordained priest.
As you
listen to the words of forgiveness you may make the sign of the cross with
the priest. If he closes by saying, "Give thanks to the Lord for He is
good," answer, "For His mercy endures forever."
After Confession
Do your
assigned Penance and 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.
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.
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Before
going to Confession you should make a review of mortal and venial sins
since your last sacramental confession, and should express sorrow for
sins, hatred for sins and a firm resolution not to sin again.
A helpful
pattern for examination of conscience is to review the Commandments of God
and the Precepts of the Church:
1.
Have God and the pursuit of sanctity in Christ
been the goal of my life? Have I denied my faith? Have I placed my trust
in false teachings or substitutes for God? Did I despair of God's mercy?
2.
Have I avoided the profane use of God's name
in my speech? Have I broken a solemn vow or promise?
3.
Have I honored every Sunday by avoiding
unnecessary work, celebrating the Mass (also holydays)? Was I inattentive
at, or unnecessarily late for Mass, or did I leave early? Have I neglected
prayer for a long time?
4.
Have I shown Christ-like respect to parents,
spouse, and family members, legitimate authorities? Have I been attentive
to the religious education and formation of my children?
5.
Have I cared for the bodily health and safety
of myself and all others? Did I abuse drugs or alcohol? Have I supported
in any way abortion, "mercy killing," or suicide?
6.
Was I impatient, angry, envious, proud,
jealous, revengeful, lazy? Have I forgiven others?
7.
Have I been just in my responsibilities to
employer and employees? Have I discriminated against others because of
race or other reasons?
8.
Have I been chaste in thought and word? Have I
used sex only within marriage and while open to procreating life? Have I
given myself sexual gratification? Did I deliberately look at impure TV,
pictures, reading?
9.
Have I stolen anything from another, from my
employer, from government? If so, am I ready to repay it? Did I fulfill my
contracts? Did I rashly gamble, depriving my family of necessities?
10.
Have I spoken ill of any other person? Have I
always told the truth? Have I kept secrets and confidences?
11.
Have I permitted sexual thoughts about someone
to whom I am not married?
12.
Have I desired what belongs to other people?
Have I wished ill on another?
13.
Have I been faithful to sacramental living
(Holy Communion and Penance)?
14.
Have I helped make my parish community
stronger and holier? Have I contributed to the support of the Church?
15.
Have I done penance by abstaining and fasting
on obligatory days? Have I fasted before receiving communion?
16.
Have I been mindful of the poor? Do I accept
God's will for me?
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