Guide to Confession

[matthew1624]

Do you know of any online guides to confession? I’m particularly interested in the protocol.

Thanks a bunch…

 

[lontas]

Not aware of any online guides, but here’s how I was taught to do it:

Go into the confessional when the previous person exits. If the confessional holds two people, wait for the priest to open the screen to your side. When the screen door opens, he will make the sign of the cross and say a short opening prayer.

You say: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. It’s been (however long) since my last confession.” OR: “This is my first confession.”

Then, you must tell him a list of all your mortal sins (you’ve committed since your last confession) that you can remember, and also the number of times you’ve committed each mortal sin. Estimates are okay if you can’t remember exactly. You don’t need to explain the sin; just say what it is. The priest has already heard it all; he won’t be surprised by anything you confess. You may also confess venial sins, but you’re not required to.

When you are done listing all your mortal sins, you say: “I am sorry for these sins, and all the sins of my entire life.”

Then the priest may give you some counseling, and he will give you a penance–usually several prayers. You must do your penance in order to be completely forgiven.

He will have you say the Act of Contrition at this point, so make sure you know this prayer. If he doesn’t have you say it inside the confessional, be sure to say it on your own afterwards.

Next, he will say the prayers of absolution. When he says “I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, you make the sign of the cross along with him. Afterwards, thank him.

Finally, exit the box, go kneel as close to the tabernacle as you can, and pray your penance. That’s it! Don’t worry, it gets much easier with practice.

 

[Annunciata]

lontas:

Not aware of any online guides, but here’s how I was taught to do it:

Go into the confessional when the previous person exits. If the confessional holds two people, wait for the priest to open the screen to your side. When the screen door opens, he will make the sign of the cross and say a short opening prayer.

You say: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. It’s been (however long) since my last confession.” OR: “This is my first confession.”

Then, you must tell him a list of all your mortal sins (you’ve committed since your last confession) that you can remember, and also the number of times you’ve committed each mortal sin. Estimates are okay if you can’t remember exactly. You don’t need to explain the sin; just say what it is. The priest has already heard it all; he won’t be surprised by anything you confess. You may also confess venial sins, but you’re not required to.

When you are done listing all your mortal sins, you say: “I am sorry for these sins, and all the sins of my entire life.”

Then the priest may give you some counseling, and he will give you a penance–usually several prayers. You must do your penance in order to be completely forgiven.

He will have you say the Act of Contrition at this point, so make sure you know this prayer. If he doesn’t have you say it inside the confessional, be sure to say it on your own afterwards.

Next, he will say the prayers of absolution. When he says “I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, you make the sign of the cross along with him. Afterwards, thank him.

Finally, exit the box, go kneel as close to the tabernacle as you can, and pray your penance. That’s it! Don’t worry, it gets much easier with practice.

Lontas,
I have to say that is the clearest most concise explanation I’ve heard in a long time…good job! God Bless, Annunciata

 

[tee_eff_em]

lontas:

Not aware of any online guides, but here’s how I was taught to do it:

A nice online Guide to Confession is available at the Knights of Columbus website.

Otherwise, I think lontas hit all the highlights.

tee

 

[baltobetsy]

At the end, the priest may say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”
You reply, “His mercy endures forever.”
He says “Go in peace.”
You say “Thank you, Father.”

Betsy

 

[Miserissima]

Awwww. Go Annunciata! You beat me to it!

I was going to offer this link.

Great minds think alike