Making a good Confession

In the post earlier today, I published the first part of a brochure on Confession that can be found at the Shrine (copyright information can be found in that post.)   In that post, a lot of valuable information was presented that can help us in our preparation for the Sacrament of Confession.   In this post, we will, again using the words from that brochure, describe how we can celebrate the Sacrament of Confession. once we have prepared.  If we have prepared well, it will be a good one!

Mortal Sins Must Be Confessed

You are only obligated to confess mortal sins, although confession of venial sins is very helpful in receiving the grace to avoid sin in the future and for advancing in holiness.

For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be met (in bold): “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.” (CCC 1857)

Steps to a Good Confession

1. Examine your conscience.

2. Be repentant of your sins.

3. Confess your sins to the priest in number and kind, being sure to confess all mortal sins.

4. Make an act of contrition, receive absolution from the priest, and resolve to sin no more.

5. Do the penance the priest gives you.

How to Go to Confession

• Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

• Then say, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ______ days/weeks/ months/years since my last confession.”

• Tell the priest your sins and how many times you committed each (to the best of your memory), beginning with any mortal sins and any sins you are particularly struggling with.

• The priest will give you some advice and assign you a penance.

• You then make the Act of Contrition.

• The priest will give you absolution and then dismiss you.

Act of Contrition

 O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all of my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they have offended you, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace, to sin no more, to do penance, and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

 (The rest of this post are my words.)

Confession is a beautiful experience.    I go every 4-6 weeks.  Once a month should be the goal of all Catholics.  Under no circumstances should we go more than two months without receiving it.   We simply cannot live a devout, full Christian life without frequent reception of this Sacrament.

However, even if you have not been to Confession for a long time;  6 months, a year, 6 years, or even 60 years, like the loving father in the story of the Prodigal Son,  the Lord is ready to welcome you with open and loving arms!  Any baptized Catholic can go, no matter how long it has been.  Any baptized person,  even non-Catholics, may be able to receive under certain circumstances (ask a local priest.)

Remember that a priest cannot reveal anything he has heard in the Confession under any circumstance.   If he does, he can no longer function as a priest.   And a priest has heard it all!  For these reasons, never be afraid to confess your sins to him!   

Happy Feast of Divine Mercy to all of you!