A Guide to Confession: Experiencing the Mercy of God
By Mr. Joseph Liberto of the Media Ministry, and Msgr. Paul Cook

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

Five Steps for a Good Confession
1. Examine your conscience.  Are there things that are bothering you?  Are there things on your mind for which you are sorry?

2. Be sincerely sorry for your sins.  Good confessions rely on a true intent to mend your ways

3. Confess your sins to the Priest.  The Priest represents the people of your community of faith. When you share your sins with the Priest, you ask the community for forgiveness.  The Priest represents the doorway to which this forgiveness may be given to you.

4. Resolve the amend your life.  Resolve to change.

5. After your confession, do the penance the Priest assigns.

Don’t be hasty.  Don’t be superficial.  Avoid anxiety.

Individual confession:
Penitent:  Bless me Father for I have sinned.  It has been ___ since my last confession.

These are my sins:
Confess your since that you have committed since your last confession.  When you have finished confession, say:
That is all, Father.

Listen to the words of advice and penance that the Priest will give you, and when the Priest tells you to, say the Act of Contrition.

O My God, I am Heartily Sorry for Having offended you and I detest all my since because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, My God, who art all good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

The absolution:
The Priest extends his hand over the penitent’s head and says the words of Absolution (forgiveness).  When the Priest makes the sign of the cross over you, bless yourself and say Amen.

The dismissal:
The Priest says: The Lord has freed you from your sins, go in peace.
You say: Amen.  Thank you, Father.