Confession Step-by-Step
Question: I haven’t been to confession in many many years. I want to go but I’ve forgotten what to say and how to act. How will I remember all my sins?
Answer: 10 Steps – Confession begins with:
(1) Sign of the Cross and the penitent greeting the priest with the words,
(2) “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was ….” (weeks, months, years).
The penitent (you)
(3) confesses sins to the priest, who stands in the name of Christ and the Church. The priest will help you make a good confession. If you are unsure or uneasy, ask the priest to help. Place your trust in God, a merciful Father who wants to forgive you.
Following the confession of sins, say,
(4) “This is all I can remember. I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
The priest will assign you a
(5) penance. The penance takes into account your personal situation and supports your spiritual good. It may be a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service, or sacrifice; whatever the penance, the individual is joined in some way to Christ and the cross.
The penitent will then pray an
(6) Act of Contrition. This prayer expresses true sorrow for the sins confessed. This prayer may be expressed in one’s own words or one may use one of the formal prayers of sorrow.
A simplified form of the Act of Contrition:
O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.
The priest, acting in the person of Christ, will absolve you from your sins by saying the prayer of
(7) Absolution. As the prayer is ending, the penitent makes the
(8) Sign of the Cross and responds, “Amen.”
The priest will express some
(9) words of praise and blessing. The penitent leaves, completing the
(10) assigned penance.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance consists of a good examination of conscience. This examination, guided by the Ten Commandments, prepares one to confess sins to the priest. Confession presumes the penitent is truly sorry with a firm resolve not to sin again.
Reproduced in part from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Altoona, PA website – https://www.altoonacathedral.org/
- Joy as Redemptoris Mater Seminary witnesses canonisation of patron, St Frassati - September 8, 2025
- St Catherine’s Parish Eldorado Park, Pipe Organ Fundraiser - September 8, 2025
- Our Call to be in Solidarity with Holy Land Christians - September 5, 2025
