Sacraments

How to go to Confession or receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Step 1: *Examine conscience beforehand praying to realize any sins you have committed since your last confession. This is usually done as a group during a Penance Service.  

Step 2: In the confessional. The Priest and You: Do the sign of the cross, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

Step 3: You: Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned, this is my first confession.  The next tiem you go, you say Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned, it has been ____weeks, months or years since my last confession. (say how long it’s been since your last confession.) 

Step 4: You: Share sins.

Step 5: The Priest: usually offers some counsel.  Say a few words about what the person just said.

Step 6: The Priest: assign penance. *

Step 7: You: Say an *Act of Contrition, many versions exist. 

Step 8: The Priest: (raises his right hand) God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of your son, you have reconciled the world to Yourself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the church, may God grant you pardon and peace. And I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (signs a cross of the person in the air) Amen.

Step 9: You: Do the sign of the cross (as the priest does it)

Step 10: Go and do your penance.

Sometimes: At the very end of confession the priest says “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good” and you respond, “His mercy endures forever.”