The Sacrament of Penance
A Guide to Confession
“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them.” — John 20:23
The Rite of Penance in the traditional form
In the traditional practice the penitent kneels at the confessional grille, usually unseen by the priest. The formulas below are the classic ones, given in Latin with the customary English.
Before you enter
Kneel a while in the church and beg the Holy Ghost for light to know your sins and grace to detest them.
Make a careful examination of conscience, calling to mind the mortal sins committed since your last good confession, and their number as nearly as you can recall.
Excite in yourself true contrition — sorrow for having offended God, who is all good and deserving of all your love — and a firm purpose of amendment.
Entering the confessional
Kneel, make the Sign of the Cross, and ask the priest's blessing.
Benedic mihi, Pater, quia peccavi. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [time] since my last confession.
The accusation
State your sins simply and plainly: the kind of sin, and the number of times, without excuse and without narrative.
Mortal sins must be confessed in kind and number. Venial sins may be confessed and are profitably confessed, but are not strictly required.
When you have finished, close the accusation.
De his et de omnibus peccatis meis doleo.
For these and all the sins of my past life, especially [any grave sin], I am heartily sorry.
Counsel and penance
Listen attentively to the priest's counsel. Accept the penance he gives, and be sure you understand it before leaving.
The Act of Contrition
While the priest pronounces absolution, pray the Act of Contrition slowly and from the heart.
Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia Tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
Absolution
The priest absolves you. Bow your head and receive it as from Christ Himself.
Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
I absolve thee from thy sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
After confession
Leave the confessional, kneel before the altar, and perform your penance without delay if you are able.
Give thanks to God for the mercy shown you, and renew your resolution to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Before you go, make a careful examination of conscience.
✠ Examination of Conscience