PREPARING FOR THE
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Because many people find it difficult to approach the confessional, unsure of what to do or say, this format is offered to help you prepare for making a good confession.

We celebrate reconciliation because we are sorry for our sins, sorry that we have offended the goodness of God, sorry for having brought disharmony to others through our sins.

PRIOR TO ENTERING THE CONFESSIONAL:

  1. Ask God to help you see yourself as HE sees you.

  2. Recall your sins and prepare to tell them to the priest.

THEN ENTER THE CONFESSIONAL AND SAY:

  1. "Bless me Father for I have sinned; these are my sins."

  2. Tell what you recall as having bothered your conscience.

      Have I neglected to reverence God by worship or observance of His laws?

      Have I harmed others by word, lying, gossip, bad example?

      Have I been selfish, proud, arrogant, unkind, neglected my duties?

      Have I given in to selfish desires, putting myself ahead of others?

      Have I cheated, been dishonest or defrauded in any way?

      Have I indulged in alcohol, drugs, illicit sexual pleasures?

      Have I fulfilled my obligations to family, neighbors, employers, employees?

  3. Tell the priest: "These are my sins and I am sorry for them".

  4. Listen to any advice or counsel the priest may offer.

  5. The priest will assign you a penance, and ask you to say an Act of Contrition (see below for one form of the Act of Contrition).

  6. Wait and listen to the priest's words of absolution.

  7. Leave the confessional area and perform the penance the priest gave you.

  8. CHANGE for the better...that's why God calls us to repentance for our sins!

And finally, thank God for calling us to share in His mercy. It is the merciful forgiveness that we celebrate in every sacrament, and that we celebrate throughout the Church year as we recall the birth, death, resurrection and new life that Jesus bought for us by offering Himself on the cross to God the Father as ransom for our sins!

Act of Contrition

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.

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