Confession

[aj830]

I had a question about confession. I’m 16 and I went to confession about a month ago which was my first time since my first reconciliation because I was never enforced or educated why it was so important but after reading I realized how important it was and how grave a sin it was to receive Communion with mortal sin on my soul so I told my mother to bring me to Confession. It was very akward and I really didn’t remember what to do. I walked in and sat behind the screen for a few seconds when the priest said “Hello?” like no one was there. I said “Yes” akwardly and sensing my nervousness because I was kind of shaken from emotion, he asked “How long has it been since your last confession?”, and I said “8 years” he told me “What have you done since that time” and I told him my sins. My question is what do I do or say when I enter the Confessional? This may sound like a stupid question but I really have no idea and I wish to be prepared for Confession this Saturday.

 

[CatholicCid]

I was like that as well, but luckily the HS offered Confession twice a year for the whole School.

Now, I go in and kneel or sit or whatever the situation and first thing is “Hello Father” so he knows someone is there if it isn’t face to face.

Then he would say “In the Name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit”

Then I say “Forgive me Father, for I has sinned. It has been X hours/days/weeks/months/years/decades/centuries since my last confession. My sins in that time include…”

Though, that’s how I go through with it, if it’s wrong the Priest hasn’t had the courage to tell me

I also like to reflect at least the night before on what I wish to Confess, though I still get nervous when going.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

The problem I’ve encountered is, some priests will say something like, “God bless you” while some remain silent and wait for you to start talking. So it can be awkward.

I always start with, “Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It’s been (how long) since my last confession. Since then I’ve (name your sins).” When you’re done say, “For these and all my sins I ask pardon from God and penance from you, Father.”

It’s a little old fashioned, but it gets the job done.

 

[Kielbasi]

I’m suprised you didn’t know “Bless me father for I have sinned”.

Just by watching television programs and movies, even most non-catholics could probably get that far.

 

[contemplative]

after confessing my sins I always say aloud…
“For all this I am sorry.”
The priest then know I am finished and I have expressed my sorrow.

 

[CatholicCid]

Kielbasi:

I’m suprised you didn’t know “Bless me father for I have sinned”.

Just by watching television programs and movies, even most non-catholics could probably get that far.

So it is “Bless” not “Forgive”… I always switched the two

 

[ComradeAndrei]

It is handy in most of the churches I’ve gone to confession in that there must be some sort of sensor that tells the priest that someone is in the Confessional. The kneeler is spring-loaded and I know that turns on the little light outside so folks outside know that it is occupied but it always seems like the priest knows for sure that you are in there. It also helps that many have sliding doors behind the screen and when you hear the priest open it and start with the Sign of the Cross you know when to start.

after confessing my sins I always say aloud…
“For all this I am sorry.”
The priest then know I am finished and I have expressed my sorrow.

That is basically what I do too. When I first started going back to Confession I didn’t know how to end up so I ended up saying something dumb like, “Uh, that’s about it.”

 

[urbana]

The website below has both a step by step outline of confession (basically what some other posters have written down), as well as examinations of conscience, both grave and venial, which should also be helpful.

catholic.org/frz/examen/confession_how.htm

 

[Kielbasi]

CatholicCid:

So it is “Bless” not “Forgive”… I always switched the two

I don’t know whether you ought to be scolded for not studying your catechism, or saluted for staying away from the boobtube.

 

[CatholicCid]

Kielbasi:

I don’t know whether you ought to be scolded for not studying your catechism, or saluted for staying away from the boobtube.

Neither probably… It’s just a horrible memory

What was I doing? Where am I?

 

[puzzleannie]

many published guides for going to confession state that the priest will first welcome you, but I found out in coming to this new parish that our priests expects you to begin right away with "Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been ] since my last confession, [or this is my first confession] while he makes the sign of the cross silently.

We instruct our communion and confirmation candidates how to make a nightly examen before bedtime, concluding with an Act of Contrition, which is a great help in preparing to examine the conscience before confession.