Confession
Examination of Conscience
Schedule
- Tuesday – 10.00 am
- Wednesday – 10.00 am
- Thursday – 10.00am
- Saturday – 4.15 to 5.15 pm or by appointment
Confession
The Sacrament of Confession, which precedes first Holy Communion and may be received as often as necessary throughout one’s life, answers Christ’s call to individual conversion. Only God can forgive sins, and by His divine authority He entrusted this Sacrament to be exercised in His name by His ministers (see John 20:21-23). This is so beautifully apparent in the formula of absolution used by the Latin Church:
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son, has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may 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.
Rite of Confession
When ready to begin:
You: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The priest will then respond with these or similar words:
Priest: May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in His mercy.
Then you say these or similar words:
You: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been _____ (weeks, months, years) since my last confession. These are my sins:
Briefly declare your sins and how often you committed them. Only essential details are necessary. When finished declaring your sins, you say:
You: I am sorry for these and all of my sins.
The priest will then give you counsel and assign you a penance. Then you pray the Prayer of the Penitent (Act of Contrition), such as this:
You: 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 Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.
Then the priest will pray the Prayer of Absolution, absolving you from your sins. And finally the priest will end the confession with an acclamation of praise to God and a dismissal, such as this:
Priest: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
You: His mercy endures forever.
Priest: The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.
After leaving the confessional, be sure to complete your assigned penance as soon as possible.
