Confession is not difficult, but it does require preparation.  We should begin with prayer, placing ourselves in the presence of God, our loving Father. We seek healing and forgiveness through repentance and a resolve to sin no more. Then we review our lives since our last confession, searching our thoughts, words and actions for that which did not conform to God’s command to love Him and one another through His laws and the laws of His  Church. This is called an examination of conscience.

Ask God to help you make a good confession. In quiet reflection
ask yourself: Since my last confession…
Did I pray to God, daily and from my heart?

• Did I live and witness to my Catholic faith, joyfully & courageously?

• Did I take God’s name in vain?

• Did I curse anyone or make false oaths? Did I engage insuperstitious or occult practices?

• Did I attend and participate actively at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation? Did I fast & abstain on prescribed days?

• Did I respect people in authority? My employer? Did I honor my parents?

• Was I violent or unnecessarily aggressive (e.g., physically, verbally, psychologically, etc.) with anyone?

• Was I prideful, stubborn, or rude with anyone? Did I hold a grudge?

• Did I abuse alcohol, prescription medications, or illegal drugs? Did I overindulge in food?

• Did I consent to, recommend, advise, or actively take part in an abortion? Did I use abortifacient drugs?

• Did I view pornography, entertain lustful thoughts, conversations or actions?

• Was I unloving to my spouse? Did I engage in adulterous activity (e.g., sexual, emotional, virtual, etc.)? Did I use contraceptives?

• Was I neglectful of the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, or physical needs of my spouse, children, or family?

• Did I steal or damage another’s property? Was I honest and just in my business relations? Did I waste time at work?

• Did I contribute to the needs of the spiritually and materially poor with my time and resources?

• Did I engage in gossip? Did I lie? Did I speak poorly of others? Did I judge anyone unfairly?

• Did I envy anyone? Was I jealous of others or or covet another’s belongings?

Before confession we examine our conscience, asking God’s help to know our sins and to be truly sorry for them.

Rite of Reconciliation

Priest:          In the name of the Father and of the Son and
                      of the Holy Spirit.

Penitent:    Amen. 
                      Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been
                      (say how long) since my last confession.
                      My sins are (confess your sins).

When you are done, the Priest will give you spiritual advice and assign a penance. He will then ask you to pray an Act of Contrition, for example:

Penitent:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
- or-
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended
Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I
dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell;
but most of all because they have offended
Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of
all my love. I firmly resolve wit the help of Thy
grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to
amend my life. Amen.

The Priest then says the Prayer of Absolution while the penitent listens. At the conclusion of the prayer, make the sign of the Cross and say, “Amen.”

Priest:        Go in peace

Penitent:   Thanks be to God

Complete your penance as soon as possible. If you were given  prayers to say, try to pray them in church before departing.