Michael Brooks
Confession is a sacrament in the Catholic Church, through which God makes his saving love and mercy real and present. Catholics confess their sins to a priest because that is the method of forgiveness that Jesus established during his earthly ministry. Catholics have the right to go to confession anonymously, and it is recommended to go regularly, perhaps every month. Before going to confession, it is good to spend a few minutes praying for God's help and guidance, examining your conscience, and remembering any sins you have committed. During confession, you should tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest, and listen to any guidance they may offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Reconciliation with Christ and the community of the Church |
| Who to confess to | A priest, appointed by God as an alter Christus, or "other Christ", an official stand-in for Christ |
| Privacy | Priests are bound by the "seal of the confessional", which forbids them from sharing confessions under any circumstance |
| How often | It is recommended to go regularly, perhaps every month; the season of Lent is also a good time to go |
| Preparation | Briefly examine your conscience at the end of each day, and make an act of contrition; spend a few minutes before confession praying for God's help and guidance, examining your conscience, and remembering your sins |
| What to confess | Mortal (serious) sins and venial (everyday) sins; it is not necessary to remember every single sin |
| What to say | Begin by making the sign of the cross and saying "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been [however many days/months/years] since my last confession"; when you are finished confessing, say "I'm sorry for these sins and all the sins I cannot remember" |
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What You'll Learn
The purpose of confession
Catholics confess their sins to a priest because that is the method of forgiveness that Jesus established during His earthly ministry. By confessing to Jesus' minister, one confesses to God through His priest, whom He commissioned for this purpose. The priest acts as an official stand-in for Christ, an "alter Christus" or "other Christ".
Confession is not meant to be a burden. It is an opportunity to examine one's life and make peace with Christ and the community. It is a chance to be honest with oneself and God, reflecting on one's sins and failures to love God, one's neighbour, and oneself.
Through confession, Catholics find reassurance and peace, knowing that they are forgiven through the clear rite of a sacrament. They are not left with subjective experiences or personal convictions but are absolved of their sins through the power Jesus has given to priests.
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Preparing for confession
Reflect on Your Sins and Examine Your Conscience:
Take time to introspect and identify your sins. This self-examination is rooted in the Ten Commandments and an awareness of the seven deadly sins. Reflect on your actions and thoughts, considering how you may have failed to love God, your neighbour, and yourself. Examine your relationship with your Catholic faith and any instances where you may have turned away from its teachings.
Distinguish Between Mortal and Venial Sins:
Mortal sins are considered more serious and grave, while venial sins are everyday, lesser sins. If you have committed a mortal sin, it is essential to go to confession before receiving Holy Communion again. Mortal sins have three components: grave matter, full knowledge, and complete consent. Examples of grave sins include abortion, attempting to marry while already married, and the redefinition of marriage.
Pray for Guidance and Forgiveness:
Spend time in prayer, seeking God's help and guidance as you prepare for confession. Ask for forgiveness and reflect on His mercy and love. Remember, confession is about strengthening your relationship with God and accepting His mercy.
Write Down Your Sins:
To ensure you don't forget anything important, consider writing down your sins before confession. This can include listing mortal sins in number and kind, as well as any venial sins you want to mention. Writing them down can help you organise your thoughts and ensure a thorough confession.
Choose a Suitable Time and Place:
Identify a convenient time and place for your confession. You can go to your local parish or find a different church that offers confession anonymously if your parish doesn't have that option. Some airports also have small chapels with Catholic priests, providing an opportunity for confession while travelling.
Remember, confession is a beautiful sacrament that brings you closer to God and the community of the Church. Don't let fear or past experiences prevent you from seeking reconciliation and experiencing God's abundant mercy.
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What to say during confession
Catholics confess their sins to a priest to be absolved of their sins and reconciled with God and the community of the Church. This is known as the sacrament of confession, penance, or reconciliation.
Before Confession
Before going to confession, it is important to reflect on your sins and make an examination of conscience. This involves meditating on your sins and how you have failed to love God, your neighbour, and yourself. It is rooted in the Ten Commandments and an awareness of the seven deadly sins. You can also write down your sins if that helps. However, don't get too caught up in trying to remember every little sin, as this can become an obsession.
During Confession
When you enter the confessional, begin by making the sign of the cross and saying, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been [state how long it has been since your last confession]." Then, list your sins, mentioning both venial (everyday) sins and mortal (more serious) sins. Try to be thorough, but it's okay if you don't remember every single sin. It may be more of a conversation, as the priest may ask questions or offer guidance.
After listing your sins, conclude by saying, "I'm sorry for these and all my sins," or "I am sorry for these sins and all the sins I cannot remember." You may also want to discuss the circumstances and root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice or direction.
After Confession
Listen to the priest and accept the penance given, which may include prayers, reflections, or works of charity. The priest will then conclude with the words, "Go in peace," and you will be absolved of your sins.
Remember, you have the right to go to confession anonymously, and the priest is bound by the "seal of the confessional," which means they cannot share what you tell them under any circumstance.
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The priest's response
The priest's role during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, is to act as a conduit for God's forgiveness and to guide the penitent through the process of confession and repentance. Here is how a priest typically responds during the different stages of Confession:
Before Confession:
Priests often begin by inviting the penitent to make the Sign of the Cross and offering a brief prayer, such as "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [state the amount of time] since my last confession." This introductory statement helps the priest understand the penitent's spiritual journey and the context of their sins.
During Confession:
The priest listens attentively and compassionately as the penitent confesses their sins. It is important for him to create a safe and non-judgmental environment, encouraging a honest and thorough confession. He may gently inquire about the circumstances surrounding the sins confessed to gain a deeper understanding and provide appropriate guidance.
Guidance and Penance:
After the confession, the priest offers counsel and advice tailored to the penitent's specific situation. This may include reminding the penitent of God's mercy, quoting relevant Scripture passages, and providing practical steps for spiritual growth and avoidance of sin in the future. He then assigns a penance, which typically involves praying specific prayers or performing acts of piety, charity, or sacrifice.
Absolution:
This is the core moment of the Sacrament. The priest extends his hands over the penitent's head and pronounces the words of absolution, which is a prayer asking God to grant forgiveness and peace. The formula for absolution is specified by the Church, and he may conclude with a blessing.
After Confession:
Following absolution, the priest encourages the penitent to go forth in peace, often saying, "Go in peace, your sins are forgiven." He may offer additional resources or recommend spiritual practices to aid the penitent in their ongoing journey of faith and repentance. The priest also ensures the confidentiality of the confession, creating a safe space for open sharing and spiritual healing.
The priest's role is to guide, counsel, and extend God's mercy and forgiveness. Through this Sacrament, Catholics find healing, reconciliation, and a renewed relationship with God and their community.
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The benefits of confession
Confession is a gift through which God makes His saving love and mercy real and present to us. It is a sacrament that ultimately strengthens our relationship with God and helps us accept God's abundant mercy. It is a means to be reconciled with Christ and the community of the Church.
Self-knowledge and humility
Confession increases self-knowledge and Christian humility. It helps us to know and admit our virtues so we can advance them in our lives and know and admit our vices so we can uproot them. Humility, in turn, keeps a person from reaching beyond themselves.
Introspection and honesty
The act of confession encourages introspection and honesty. It allows us to be honest with ourselves and God. It helps us to reflect on our sins and how we have failed to love God, our neighbour, and ourselves. It also helps us to invite Christ into parts of ourselves we once thought were irredeemable.
Peace and joy
Confession brings inner peace and joy. It helps us to be at peace with Christ and with one another. It also helps us to be sensitive to what is happening in our lives.
Healing and forgiveness
Confession provides healing for the soul. It is a means to seek forgiveness and be healed by Christ. It is not a tribunal or criminal court, but a banquet hall where the community celebrates Easter, Christ's victory over sin and death, and the joyful experience of His forgiving mercy.
Accessibility
The Sacrament of Confession is one of only two sacraments that can be received both repeatedly and frequently. It is accessible to all Catholics, regardless of their vocation and state in life. It can be done at a confessional, or even at an airport chapel, and one can also choose to go to confession at a different church.
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Frequently asked questions
Confession is a gift through which God makes his saving love and mercy real and present. It is a way to strengthen our relationship with God and accept his forgiveness.
Catholics confess their sins to a priest because that is the method of forgiveness that Jesus established during his ministry. By confessing to the priest, we are confessing to God through his personal representative.
It is a good idea to spend some time reflecting on your sins. You can also pray for God's help and guidance and briefly examine your conscience.
Begin by making the sign of the cross and saying, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been [days/months/years] since my last confession." Then, list your mortal and venial sins, and conclude by saying, "I'm sorry for these and all my sins."
The priest will offer guidance and suggest ways to avoid sinning in the future. They may also assign penance, such as prayers, reflections, or works of charity. The priest will then conclude with the words, "Go in peace."
