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How to Go to Confession
PREPARATION: Before going to confession, the penitent compares his or her life with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the example of Christ, asking the Holy Spirit to show them their own particular sins. There are lots of Examinations of Conscience, and even a mobile phone app.
Examinations of Conscience to help you:
GOING TO CONFESSION: The light above the middle door means that the priest is in. If a light is above one of the side doors, then someone else is there. If neither side light is on – go in, using the side with the screen for anonymous confession or the other for face-to-face.
In the Confessional there is a short guide about going to Confession to help you feel comfortable if you need it, including the Act of Contrition.
Begin by making the Sign of the Cross with the priest and say:
“Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (state how long) since my last confession.
These are my sins.”
Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. You might even want to discuss the circumstances and the root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice or direction. You have to confess mortal sins in number and kind as best as you are able. If you want to write them down or use a phone app to help you remember, that is fine. Don’t be afraid – the priest is a sinner too. Don’t be worried – the priest can’t tell anyone what you tell him, as he is in this moment an agent of God’s grace.
When you are finished say: “I am sorry for these sins and all the sins I cannot remember.” The truth is there are usually more. This is also a good way to let the priest know you aren't just trying to recollect something else.
Listen to the priest and accept the penance from him. Penances are things we do to begin again, and to show God we are sorry – prayers, reflections or works of charity. Write it down on the back of one of the Act of Contrition copies if you need to.
Pray the Act of Contrition. There are lots of different versions, or you can make up your own as long as it contains the essential elements – sorrow for sin and resolve to sin no more.
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.
Receive Absolution. The priest will pray the prayer through which your signs are forgiven by the grace of God. Make the sign of the Cross when the priest says, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The priest will then conclude with the words: “Go in Peace”.
You respond: “Thanks be to God.”
The grace of Confession is absolution of sins, as we are also raised up by God’s love and mercy to begin again in His grace.