Joshua Bennett
For Catholics, confession is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ to offer forgiveness for offences against God and others. It is recommended that Catholics receive the Sacrament of Penance frequently, and at least once a year for serious sins. Confession involves admitting sins to a priest, who grants absolution. If a penitent deliberately omits a mortal sin, none of their sins are forgiven. However, it is acknowledged that human memory is fallible, and it is advised to include statements like for all the sins of my past life and for any sins which I may have forgotten during confession. While some may worry about repeating the same sins in confession, it is encouraged to confess as often as necessary, even weekly, to strengthen one's relationship with God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of confession | Weekly confession is recommended, but not more than once a week under normal circumstances |
| Who to confess to | Any Catholic priest in good standing with the faculties to hear confessions |
| What to confess | All mortal sins that you remember, even if they are old |
| What if you forget to confess a sin? | If a penitent deliberately refuses to mention a mortal sin, none of their sins will be forgiven |
| What if you can't remember all your sins? | It is good to add something like "And for all the sins of my past life" or "for any sins which I may have forgotten" |
| What if you are uncomfortable confessing out loud? | You always have the option to go to confession anonymously, that is, behind a screen |
| What if you don't know what to say? | You can express your sorrow and firm purpose of amendment in your own words or ask the priest for help |
| What if you don't know an Act of Contrition by heart? | You can express your feelings in your own words or pray, "Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner who loves you!" |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare for confession
Preparing for confession in the Catholic Church involves several steps, including self-reflection, prayer, and repentance. Here is a guide on how to prepare for confession:
Examine Your Conscience
Start by examining your conscience through introspection and self-reflection. Consider your actions, thoughts, and words, identifying any sins or transgressions you may have committed. You can use Scripture as a guide, particularly the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes, to help you in this process. Reflect on the times you may have fallen short of these teachings and ask for God's forgiveness.
Make a List of Sins
Make a list of the sins you want to confess. Be as thorough as possible, distinguishing between venial and mortal sins. Mortal sins are those considered more serious and must be confessed in both kind and number. You can write them down or use a phone app to help you remember. Remember that confession is a safe space, and you can choose to remain anonymous if you prefer.
Repent and Seek Forgiveness
Before your confession, engage in sincere repentance. This involves feeling remorse for your sins and making a conscious decision to turn away from them. If possible, try to make amends with those you have wronged. You can also pray for forgiveness and guidance, such as the "Prayer Before Confession" or other prayers that express your contrition.
Choose a Confessor
Confession involves speaking to an ordained priest, who acts as an agent of God's grace. You can choose to go to confession anonymously, or you can seek out a priest you feel comfortable with. If you haven't been to confession in a while, consider making an appointment to ensure you have enough time.
Confess Your Sins
During your confession, greet the priest, and they may recite a reading from Scripture. Then, simply and honestly confess your sins. You can discuss the circumstances and root causes of your sins and ask for advice and direction. Remember, the priest is bound by confidentiality and is there to guide you spiritually.
Accept Penance and Forgiveness
After confessing your sins, listen to the priest's advice and accept the assigned penance. Penance may include prayers, reflections, or acts of charity. Make an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow and commitment to change. The priest will then offer words of praise and dismiss you with the words "Go in peace," to which you respond, "Thanks be to God."
Remember, confession is a sacrament of reconciliation, and it is a time to receive God's mercy and forgiveness. You can go to confession at any time, not just during Lent, to experience the grace of absolution and begin anew in your spiritual journey.
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What to say during confession
If you are confessing old sins, it's a good idea to start by saying how long it has been since your last confession, and that you have committed sins over that period of time. You can then provide a brief overview of your life and circumstances, before moving on to confessing your sins. Be simple and straightforward, and don't make excuses. However, if it helps, you can explain what happened and why.
It is important to remember that you should confess all serious or 'mortal' sins. You are also encouraged to mention some smaller or 'venial' sins and everyday faults, but you don't need to list every minor failure. If you are unsure what to say or do, you can ask the priest for help.
After you have confessed your sins, you can say something like: "This is all I can remember. I am sorry for these and all my sins. And for all the sins of my past life. And for any sins which I may have forgotten". You can then do your penance, which may be a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service, or sacrifice. You might then pray in thanksgiving for the forgiveness you have received.
Confession is not meant to be a memory test, but it is good to memorise an Act of Contrition, which sums up the sentiments and resolutions a Catholic should have when confessing. If you don't know one, you can express your sorrow and firm purpose of amendment in your own words.
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How often to confess
The Catholic Church recommends confessing sins at least once a year, specifically for serious or mortal sins. However, the Church encourages Catholics to receive the Sacrament of Penance more frequently, and the regular practice of confession at least once a month is commended. During times of struggle, some priests advise parishioners to confess even more often, such as once a week.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year" (CCC 1457). This is further supported by the Code of Canon Law (CIC 989), which states that "after having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year."
It is important to note that confession is not intended to be a memory test. If an individual is unsure if they have confessed all their sins, they can add statements such as "and for all the sins of my past life" or "for any sins which I may have forgotten." These statements acknowledge the fallibility of human memory and ensure that any forgotten or unintentional omissions are still included in the absolution granted by the priest.
The Sacrament of Penance is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and reconciliation with God and others. It is a personal journey that can be guided by a priest, who can provide support and help individuals examine their conscience through the lens of the Ten Commandments. While confession is a private act, it can take place either behind a screen or face-to-face with the priest.
Confession is a significant practice in the Catholic Church, and while opinions on the frequency of confession may vary, the Church's recommendations provide a framework for Catholics to seek forgiveness and work towards holiness.
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What to do after confession
After confessing, it is important to remember that the grace of Confession is absolution of sins, and that God's love and mercy offer a chance to begin anew. Here are some steps to take after confession:
Complete your penance
The priest will assign you a penance that takes into account your personal situation and supports your spiritual growth. It may be a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service, or sacrifice. Complete this penance as soon as possible.
Deepen your relationship with God
The peace and joy of a deep spiritual life can help you overcome temptation. Strengthen your relationship with God through daily prayer, fasting, and sacrifice. Add a "particular examen" to your examination of conscience, focusing on a specific virtue you want to develop to overcome a particular vice or sin.
Evangelize
Share the peace and joy you receive from Confession with others, and encourage them to do the same. Consider inviting a friend to join you in Confession.
Continue to examine your conscience
Consistently examine your conscience and confess your sins regularly. The Church recommends Catholics receive the Sacrament of Penance frequently, and at a minimum, serious sins should be confessed at least once a year. If you are seeking to grow in holiness, confessing at least once a month is commended.
Trust in God's forgiveness
Remember that your sins no longer exist in God's memory. If you confessed your sins, they were forgiven. Trust in God's mercy and forgiveness, and know that you have been reconciled with Him.
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What to do if you forget to confess a sin
Forgetting to confess a sin is different from intentionally withholding it. If you forgot to confess a sin and only remembered it after leaving the confessional, you can either return to the confessor and tell them about the forgotten sin or wait until your next confession. You can still receive communion in the meantime since the sin has been indirectly absolved by your forgetfulness.
It is good practice to confess the sin you forgot the next time you go to confession, but it is not necessary. If you truly forgot, you are forgiven. However, bringing it up in your next confession can give you mental clarity and peace of mind. You can also add something like, "And for all the sins of my past life" or "for any sins which I may have forgotten" after confessing your most recent sins. This acknowledges the fallibility of human memory.
It is important to remember that confession is not a memory test. You are only dealing with mortal sins as venial sins are absolved with the Eucharist. You can also ask the priest for help in leading you through an examination of conscience. At the end of your confession, you can say, "This is all I can remember. I am sorry for these and all my sins."
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are obliged to confess their serious sins at least once a year, but the Church recommends receiving the Sacrament of Penance frequently. If you are seeking to grow in holiness, the regular practice of confession at least once a month is commended.
If a penitent deliberately refuses to mention a mortal sin in confession, none of their sins will be forgiven. However, if you have forgotten to confess a sin, you can add something like, "And for all the sins of my past life" or "for any sins which I may have forgotten".
You can go to any Catholic priest to confess your sins. You can do so anonymously, or face to face. After the priest greets you in the name of Christ, make the sign of the cross. Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. Listen to the advice the priest gives you and accept the penance from him. Then make an Act of Contrition for your sins.
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