First Confession format

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Petermn

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Hello
I am about to take my first Confession. I have just finished the RCIA but I still feel concerned about the exact format during Confession. I know the Priest will be sympathetic whatever happens but I want to get it right as I appeciate the power of the sacrement.
Could you kind folks please let me have a simple . A B C ( and maybe D) of the proceedure. I have no problem with my content, theres plenty to confess, I just want to get the format/stucture n the right order.
Peter
 
The priest may begin with a Scripture reading and/or an opening prayer .
Then, you say: “Bless me, Father, this is my first confession. for later confessions you would mention how long since your last Confession.

Then tell your mortal sins and the number of times committed. If you have no mortal sins to confess then confess your venial sins then say: “For these and all the sins of my past life, especially for my sins of…I am truly sorry.”

The priest will give some advice, then he will give you some penance and ask you to say the Act of Contrition (in some form).
Then wait and listen as the priest gives the absolution.
Next say “Thank you, Father”.
Now leave the Confessional and perform the penance given by the priest.

One act of confession: “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.”

Or more simply, "O my God I am very sorry that I have sinned against You, because You are so good, and with Your help I will not sin again".
 
Petermn said:
Hello
I am about to take my first Confession. I have just finished the RCIA but I still feel concerned about the exact format during Confession. I know the Priest will be sympathetic whatever happens but I want to get it right as I appeciate the power of the sacrement.
Could you kind folks please let me have a simple . A B C ( and maybe D) of the proceedure. I have no problem with my content, theres plenty to confess, I just want to get the format/stucture n the right order.
Peter
Click to expand...
Acadian and Trishie have given you good info which I cannot add too. I did want to just drop a line of advice: Don’t worry too much about the format/structure. Be at peace and concentrate on the love, forgiveness and healing that God wants you to know. And BTW, since it is your first confession, it is OK to bring in a paper with a reminder of your sins, or the act of contrition written down if it makes you more at ease. And it is also OK to say “Father, I am kind of lost and don’t know what to do next” if you forget the format.

God Bless and welcome home!!!
 
The combination of Acadian, Trishie and The Doctor have given me exactly the information and support I was looking for. What a wonderful site this is and what wonderful helpful individuals it attracts - - - - -thank you
I am ready for Sundays First Confession.

Peter
 
Hi,
This link has been hijacked by an advertisement website offering insurance quotes.
You are redirected to another site.
 
It doesn’t always work this way but this is the way it is supposed to work.

Bold = penitent (you)
Normal = priest
After the customary greeting, the penitent makes the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest invites the penitent to have trust in God, in these or similar words.

May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sin and to trust in his Mercy

The penitent answers:

Amen.

Either the priest or the penitent may read or say by heart some words taken from the holy Scriptures about the mercy of God and repentance. e.g.

"Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you" (Jn 21:17)

The penitent confesses his sins.

It has been X days/weeks/months/years since my last confession and I accuse myself of the following sins. (here state your sins)

If necessary, the priest helps the penitent make an integral confession an gives him suitable council. The pries proposes an act of penance which the penitent accepts to make satisfaction for sin and to amend his life. The priest then asks the penitent to express his sorrow (act of contrition), which the penitent may do with these or similar words:

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 intent, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.

The priest give absolution:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of this 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.

The penitent answers:

Amen.

After the absolution, the priest continues:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

The penitent concludes:

His mercy endures forever.

The priest dismisses the penitent who has been reconciled, with this or any of the alternative formulae:

The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace

The penitent should fulfill the penance imposed.
I always say, “Thanks be to God” at the end and always say John 21:17 (Lord, you know all things…) or the first verse of Psalm 51 (Have mercy on me, O God…) right before I state my sins. But that’s just my own thing.

Now, this is the way it is supposed to happen. In reality anything could happen.

The priest could just sit there and look at you. The priest could start by saying, “What are some of the sins you want to bring to Jesus?” or “Why don’t you just tell me one of your sins.” The priest could have a coughing fit. The priest might not give penance - penance is important and so I always ask for penance if the priest does not give it. A few months ago a priest at a Church I was not used to stood up and said, “give me a hug!” right after absolution. I know a most excellent priest who used to be of the Syro-Malabar rite who puts the end of his stole over my shoulders as he stands and prays over me with his hands on my head.

Anything can happen.

-Tim-
 
This is from our parish website, and is basically the guide our pastor gave us after RCIA last year. I find it helpful to carry it with me so I always have a guide and the Act of Contrition with me wherever I end up going to confession:

Celebrating Reconciliation

If you have not received the sacrament of Reconciliation for an extended period of time, or are new to the experience and need assistance, simply ask the priest. He will happily guide you through each step, from introduction to the Act of Contrition and absolution. Here are six easy steps to guide you through the sacrament:

You may kneel at the screen, out of the vision of the priest, or choose to sit before the priest face-to-face.
  1. Begin with the sign of the cross, saying “Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been (elapsed time period) since my last confession.
  2. Say the sins that you remember, beginning with those that are the most difficult to confess. A full confession includes all sins that you are consciously aware of. Express your sorrow for your sins. (“I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life.” or “For these and all my sins, I am truly sorry.”)
  3. The priest will speak, addressing some of your sins as well as assigning you penance, a prayer or other act that will diminish the consequences of your forgiven sins.
  4. Receive your penance from the priest.
  5. Say a prayer of repentance with a version of the Act of Contrition. (Be aware that sometimes when the confession lines are long, the priest might tell you to say your Act of Contrition outside when you do your penance)
  6. Listen to the words of absolution. Make the sign of the cross with the priest.
After confession, kneel in the church, thanking God for forgiving you with mercy and love. If you realize that you forgot to confess a sin, know that it has been forgiven and confess it in your next confession. If you were given prayers for Penance, reverently say them.

The Act of Contrition

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 Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
 
Petermn said:
Hello
I am about to take my first Confession. I have just finished the RCIA but I still feel concerned about the exact format during Confession. I know the Priest will be sympathetic whatever happens but I want to get it right as I appeciate the power of the sacrement.
Could you kind folks please let me have a simple . A B C ( and maybe D) of the proceedure. I have no problem with my content, theres plenty to confess, I just want to get the format/stucture n the right order.
Peter
Click to expand...
The 1974 Rite of Penance has for act of contrition:PRAYER OF THE PENITENT

Before the Absolution is given, the penitent expresses
sorrow for sins in these or similar words:

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. 1 firmly intend, with your help, to do penance,
to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads
me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died
for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Or:
Remember, Lord, your compassion and mercy which
you showed long ago. Do not recall the sins and
failings of my youth. In your mercy remember me,
Lord, because of your goodness.
Or:
Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me of my sin. I
acknowledge my offense; my sin is before me always.
Or:
Father, I have sinned against you and am not worthy
to be called your son. Be merciful to me, a sinner.
Or:
Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to
you and say: “I have sinned against you and am no
longer worthy to be called your son.” Christ Jesus,
Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief
to whom you promised Paradise: “Lord, remember
me in your Kingdom.” Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I
call on you with trust: “Purify my heart, and help
me to walk as a child of light.”
Or:
Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed
the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter’s
denial confirmed him in your love. Listen to my
prayer, forgive all my sins, renew your love in my
heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow
Christians that 1 may proclaim your saving power
to all the world.
Or:
Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners.
By your saving death and resurrection free me
from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart
and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and
truth.
Or:
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Lamb of God; you
take away the sins of the world. Through the grace
of the Holy Spirit restore me to friendship with your
Father, cleanse me from every stain of sin in the
blood you shed for me, and raise me to new life for
the glory of your name.
Or:
Lord God, in your goodness have mercy on me: do
not look on my sins, but take away all my guilt.
Crate in me a clean heart and renew within me an
upright spirit.
Or:
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me,
a sinner.
 
Vico said:
The 1974 Rite of Penance has for act of contrition:PRAYER OF THE PENITENT

Before the Absolution is given, the penitent expresses
sorrow for sins in these or similar words:

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. 1 firmly intend, with your help, to do penance,
to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads
me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died
for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Or:
Remember, Lord, your compassion and mercy which
you showed long ago. Do not recall the sins and
failings of my youth. In your mercy remember me,
Lord, because of your goodness.
Or:
Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me of my sin. I
acknowledge my offense; my sin is before me always.
Or:
Father, I have sinned against you and am not worthy
to be called your son. Be merciful to me, a sinner.
Or:
Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to
you and say: “I have sinned against you and am no
longer worthy to be called your son.” Christ Jesus,
Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief
to whom you promised Paradise: “Lord, remember
me in your Kingdom.” Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I
call on you with trust: “Purify my heart, and help
me to walk as a child of light.”
Or:
Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed
the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter’s
denial confirmed him in your love. Listen to my
prayer, forgive all my sins, renew your love in my
heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow
Christians that 1 may proclaim your saving power
to all the world.
Or:
Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners.
By your saving death and resurrection free me
from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart
and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and
truth.
Or:
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Lamb of God; you
take away the sins of the world. Through the grace
of the Holy Spirit restore me to friendship with your
Father, cleanse me from every stain of sin in the
blood you shed for me, and raise me to new life for
the glory of your name.
Or:
Lord God, in your goodness have mercy on me: do
not look on my sins, but take away all my guilt.
Crate in me a clean heart and renew within me an
upright spirit.
Or:
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me,
a sinner.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reminder of these suggested Prayers of Contrition from the revised 1974 rite of the sacrament of reconciliation .

Unfortunately for too many the reformed 1974 rite never really go off the ground .

More than any other sacrament at the moment the Sacrament of Reconciliation is in need of reform . The problems caused by this sacrament as shown on this forum indicate this need .
 
arkwright said:
Thanks for the reminder of these suggested Prayers of Contrition from the revised 1974 rite of the sacrament of reconciliation .

Unfortunately for too many the reformed 1974 rite never really go off the ground .

More than any other sacrament at the moment the Sacrament of Reconciliation is in need of reform . The problems caused by this sacrament as shown on this forum indicate this need .
Click to expand...
With the 1983 canon law were amendments to be made the 1974 Rite of Penance. That has been done. The USCCB has published Rite of Penance (Ritual Edition):The Rite of Penance was revised in accord with the second edition of the Lectionary for Mass and the emendations required by the 1983 Code of Canon Law. All three forms, beginning with the Rite of Reconciliation of Individual Penitents, are situated in the context of the Liturgy of the Word. Appendices include sample penitential services and a suggested form for an examination of conscience.
ISBN: 978-1-60137-095-2 (Ritual Edition)

The Study Edition of the Rite of Penance captures and conveys the nature and effect of the sacrament with an emphasis on its relationship to the community. In a paperback format, it includes three new appendices: Apostolic Letter Misericordia Dei, and Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliation and Penance, and a bibliography.
ISBN: 978-1-60137-099-0 (Study Edition)

usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?sku=7-095
 
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