HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION
OR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
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How To Go To Confession
 Examination of Conscience


What to do First . . .
Examination of Conscience

(The Examination of Conscience is adapted from Appendix III of the Rite of Penance.)

A. The Lord says, "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart."

1. Is my heart set on God, so that I really love him above all things and am faithful to his commandments? Or am I more concerned about the things of this world?

2. God spoke to us in his Son. Is my faith in God firm and secure? Have I been careful to grow in my understanding of the faith, to hear God's word?

3. Do I pray regularly? Do I offer God my difficulties, my joys and my sorrows?

4. Have I love and reverence for God's name? Have I shown disrespect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints?

5. Do I keep Sundays and feast days holy by taking a full part, with attention and devotion in the liturgy, and especially in the Mass?

6. Are there false gods that I worship by giving them greater attention and deeper trust than I give to God: money, superstition, astrology?

B. The Lord says, "Love one another as I have loved you."

1. Have I a genuine love for my neighbors? Or do I use them for my own ends, or do to them what I would not want done to myself?

2. In my family life, have I shown proper respect toward my parents? Have I been careful to give a Christian upbringing to my children? Have I been faithful to my spouse?

3. Do I share my possessions with the less fortunate? Do I do my best to help the victims of oppression, misfortune and poverty?

4. Does my life reflect the mission I received at confirmation? Do I share in the apostolic and charitable works of the church and in the life of my parish?

5. Am I concerned for the good and prosperity of the human community in which I live, or do I spend my life caring only for myself? Do I share to the best of my ability in the work of promoting justice, morality, harmony and love in human relations?

C. Christ our Lord says, "Be perfect as your Father is perfect."

1. Where is my life really leading me? Is the hope of eternal life my inspiration?

Have I tried to grow in the life of the Spirit through prayer, reading the word of God, receiving the sacraments? Have I imposed my own will on others, not respecting their freedom and rights?



THEN GO TO CONFESSION OR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

v     Examine your conscience and call upon the Holy Spirit, be truly sorry for your sins and resolve to change your life.

v     Go to the priest; make the sign of the cross saying, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” It is then customary to tell the priest how long it has been since your last confession. 

v     Tell the priest about your sins.  Tell him how you have sinned, and how often it happened.  If you are not sure whether something is a sin, ask the priest.  Tell him about your serious sins.  It is also good to confess any of your less serious – venial – sins.

v     Listen to the priest.  If you have any questions about the faith, how to grow in holiness or whether something is a sin, feel free to ask him.  The priest will then give you a penance, which is the first act of your “new life” after the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

v     Pray an act of contrition.  Try to tell God “from your heart” that you are sorry and that you intend to sin no more.  Below is the Act of Contrition.  You may also make this prayer in your own words.

v     Listen as the priest absolves you of your sins and enjoy the fact that God has truly freed you from all your sins.

v     Do the penance the priest gives you.  God’s mercy does endure forever!  Thank Him for what He has done for you.

 

If you are not sure of what to do, tell the priest and he will make it easier for you.

 

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.

 

Amen.