Rachel Evans
The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation, or confession, is a process by which a penitent confesses their sins and receives forgiveness from God. The priest acts as an intermediary, standing in the name of Christ and the Church, and guides the penitent through the process. The penitent begins by making the sign of the cross and saying, Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [X period of time] since my last confession. They then confess their sins, ideally in number and kind, and may discuss the circumstances and root causes of their sins. The priest then assigns penance, which is intended to support the penitent's spiritual good, and may include prayers, offerings, works of mercy, service, or sacrifices. The penitent then prays an Act of Contrition, expressing true sorrow for their sins and a firm resolution to avoid sin in the future. The priest concludes the confession by absolving the penitent of their sins, and the penitent makes the sign of the cross. While the minimum requirement for practicing Catholics is to go to confession once a year, many choose to go more frequently, viewing it as a way to form their conscience, overcome their sins, and grow in God's grace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to go to confession | The minimum requirement is once a year, but going once or twice a month helps form one's conscience, overcome sins, and grow in God's grace |
| How to start | Begin by making the sign of the cross with the priest and saying, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [state how long] since my last confession." |
| What to say | Tell your sins simply and honestly. You might want to discuss the circumstances and root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice. You must confess mortal sins in number and kind as best as you are able. |
| What to do if you're new | Tell the priest that you're new and were not trained. They will help you and may look into why you weren't trained to ensure others don't have the same problem. |
| What happens after | The priest will pray for your sins to be forgiven by the grace of God and will make the sign of the cross while saying, "I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The priest may then conclude with, "Go in peace" or "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good," to which the response is, "His mercy endures forever." |
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What You'll Learn
How to begin a confession
To begin a confession, you must first recognise your sins. This is called an examination of conscience and it is rooted in the Ten Commandments and an awareness of the seven deadly sins. You can ask yourself questions such as:
- Do I give God time every day in prayer?
- Do I speak badly of others behind their back?
- Am I sincere in my dealings with others?
- Am I critical, negative, or uncharitable in my thoughts of others?
- Have I spent an excessive amount of time on entertainment—social media, video games, YouTube, Netflix, or the internet?
After this examination, you can pray for God's help to make a good confession. You can pray:
> Come, Holy Spirit. Enlighten my mind that I may know the sins I ought to confess, and grant me the grace to confess them fully, humbly, and with a contrite heart. Help me to resolve firmly not to commit them again. Amen.
Once you have recognised your sins and prayed for guidance, you can enter the confessional booth. It is good practice to greet the priest first. You can then make the sign of the cross and say:
> Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [state how long] since my last confession. These are my sins.
You can then begin to tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest.
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What to say during confession
When going to confession, it is important to recognise your sins and be honest with the priest. Begin by saying the sign of the cross and then, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [state the length of time] since my last confession." You can then tell the priest a little about your life and your sins. Be simple and straightforward, but feel free to discuss the circumstances and root causes of your sins if you wish. You don't need to list every minor fault, but you should mention all serious or 'mortal' sins. When you have finished, say something like, "I am sorry for these sins and all the sins I cannot remember."
Listen to the priest and accept the penance from them. Penance is a way to show God you are sorry and can include prayers, reflections, or works of charity. You can do your penance in the church before you leave. After receiving absolution, you can say a prayer of thanksgiving for forgiveness.
If you are unsure what to say or do, you can ask the priest for help. If this is your first confession, tell the priest, and they will be glad to assist you.
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How to receive absolution
To receive absolution, one must first go to confession. This can be done at any time of the year, although the season of Lent is a popular time for Catholics to go to confession, especially if they have been away from the Church for a long time.
Before going to confession, it is important to examine your conscience and identify your sins. This should be rooted in the Ten Commandments and an awareness of the seven deadly sins. It is also important to distinguish between mortal and venial sins.
Once you are with the priest, you should greet them and tell them if you are a new Catholic or if it's your first confession. You can then begin with the sign of the cross and say, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was X days/weeks/months/years ago. These are my sins: [list your sins]. For these and the sins I cannot remember, I am sorry." You might also want to discuss the circumstances and root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice.
After you have confessed your sins, the priest may offer you some advice and assign you a penance, which is an act of making amends, usually involving prayers, reflections, or works of charity. You should then listen to the priest and accept the penance.
The priest will then pray for your sins to be 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."
In some cases, general absolution may be granted by the Church in times of crisis, danger, or imminent death when there are not enough confessors available to hear individual confessions. This involves a group of penitents reciting a formula for general confession, such as the Confiteor, followed by the imposition of penance and absolution by the priest. However, those who receive general absolution are expected to go to private confession as soon as possible unless impeded by grave reasons.
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How often to go to confession
The frequency of confession in the Catholic Church depends on various factors, including the severity of sins, personal beliefs, and spiritual practices. While some individuals opt for monthly or bi-weekly confessions, others attend during specific seasons like Lent or when they feel the need for absolution.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1457), each member is "bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year." This guideline ensures that Catholics actively reflect on their actions and seek forgiveness for any serious transgressions they may have committed. However, it is important to note that the Church makes a distinction between mortal (deadly or grave) sins and venial (lesser) sins. Mortal sins, which encompass grave matters committed with full knowledge and consent, require confession before receiving Holy Communion again. On the other hand, venial sins can be forgiven through receiving Holy Communion, and confession for these is not mandated as frequently.
Some Catholics choose to attend confession regularly, such as once a month or even every week. This practice is encouraged by organizations like Opus Dei. Regular confession provides an opportunity for spiritual growth, self-examination, and guidance from priests. It is also an occasion to receive grace and lead a holier life, even in the absence of mortal sins. For those struggling with habitual sins or behavioural issues, frequent confession can be a means of support and a path towards positive change.
Additionally, confession is not solely about seeking forgiveness. It is a time to encounter God's mercy and receive guidance. During confession, individuals can discuss the circumstances and root causes of their sins with the priest, seeking advice and direction. This aspect of confession is often overlooked, but it can provide valuable insights and a sense of spiritual growth.
Ultimately, the frequency of confession is a personal decision influenced by one's relationship with God, the severity of sins, and the desire for spiritual development. While the Church sets a minimum requirement of at least once a year for serious sins, many Catholics find solace and benefit in attending confession more regularly.
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How to prepare for confession
Preparing for confession in the Catholic Church involves several steps, including examining one's conscience, confessing sins, receiving absolution, and embracing God's forgiveness. Here is a guide on how to prepare for confession:
Examine Your Conscience
The first step is to reflect on your actions and identify your sins. This examination of conscience is rooted in the Ten Commandments and an awareness of the seven deadly sins. It is important to distinguish between mortal sins, which are grave and committed with full knowledge and consent, and venial sins, which are less serious. You can ask yourself questions such as:
- Do I give God time every day in prayer?
- Do I speak badly of others behind their back?
- Am I sincere in my dealings with others?
- Have I spent excessive time on entertainment or social media?
Confess Your Sins
When you enter the confessional, you can greet the priest and make the sign of the cross. Then, you may say something like, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [state how long] since my last confession. These are my sins." You should confess your mortal sins in number and kind as best as you can. You can also discuss the circumstances and root causes of your sins and ask for advice or direction. Remember, you always have the option of anonymity during confession if you prefer.
Receive Absolution
After confessing your sins, the priest will offer absolution and pray for your sins to be forgiven by God's grace. 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 may then conclude with words like, "Go in peace," to which you can respond, "Thanks be to God."
Embrace God's Forgiveness
After receiving absolution, it is important to perform your penance and express gratitude for God's mercy. Spend time with God, thanking and praising Him. Remember, the priest cannot disclose what you shared during confession, so don't be afraid to be open and honest during this sacred ritual.
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