Religion

Sacrament of Reconciliation

When you sit down with the priest…. make the Sign of the Cross and say:

Bless me Father, for I have sinned, this is my first confession and these are my sins.

(Tell the priest your sins.) When you are finished, you say:

I’m sorry for these and all my sins.

The priest may speak with you about how you may do better and he will ask you to do something. This is your penance. For your penance he may ask you to say a special prayer like a ‘Hail Mary’ or the ‘Our Father.’ You will do this after you are finished with Confession.

The priest will ask you to say the Act of Contrition:

The Act of Contrition

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.

The priest will pray over you offering ‘Absolution’ from all your sins.

The priest says “Through the ministry of the Church, my God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” <You make the Sign of the Cross while the priest blesses you.>

You answer: “Amen.”

The priest says: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”

You answer: “His mercy endures for ever.”

You can then thank the priest, and go back to your pew and carry out the penance that the priest gives to you.

Additional Second Grade Prayers

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

Glory to the Father or Glory Be (Doxology)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

I Confess (Confiteor)

I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The Jesus Prayer

Lord, Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. Amen

Use the Commandments to examine your conscience (click to enlarge).