Penance Service

[LovingGod]

Hi I am new on this board so if this topic was discussed, just let me and I can look it up.

Here is what I want to know:

I became a Catholic through RCIA 6 years ago. While I enjoyed everything about my journey, I am sorry to say that I was never shown what to do when it comes to confession. I was away from church for a long time and had a talk with my pastor at the beginning of the year and I have been now back in church for the past year. My question is: I will be attending our Penance Service on Tuesday evening and I need to know what to do, what to say, and anything else since I have never done this before. Father if you are on here looking, please I need your help or anyone that can help me too I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Edited to say: You can answer on here, you don’t have to email me.

 

[Aramis]

Hi I am new on this board so if this topic was discussed, just let me and I can look it up.

Here is what I want to know:

I became a Catholic through RCIA 6 years ago. While I enjoyed everything about my journey, I am sorry to say that I was never shown what to do when it comes to confession. I was away from church for a long time and had a talk with my pastor at the beginning of the year and I have been now back in church for the past year. My question is: I will be attending our Penance Service on Tuesday evening and I need to know what to do, what to say, and anything else since I have never done this before. Father if you are on here looking, please I need your help or anyone that can help me too I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Edited to say: You can answer on here, you don’t have to email me.

There will probably be a large service of prayer, and a group examination of conscience. Then individual confession.

At the individual confession:
“Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been ___ years since my last confession.” Then confess your serious sins, including not having been to confession in years. List the type of sin, and the number of times you have done it. If you don’t know how many, tell the priest.

Then, follow his directions. Let him know you don’t know an act of contrition, and he will guide you through it. It is, Ironically, one of the most varied of the common prayers, with dozens of variations.

More than once, my father confessor has instructed me to make my act of contrition in my own words… in which case, expressing my sincere regret for damaging my relationship with the lord, and my need for his mercy is key.

He will then instruct you in what penance you must do, and grant you absolution, and dismiss you. Exit, then go begin your penance.

 

[FrDavid96]

Hi I am new on this board so if this topic was discussed, just let me and I can look it up.

Here is what I want to know:

I became a Catholic through RCIA 6 years ago. While I enjoyed everything about my journey, I am sorry to say that I was never shown what to do when it comes to confession. I was away from church for a long time and had a talk with my pastor at the beginning of the year and I have been now back in church for the past year. My question is: I will be attending our Penance Service on Tuesday evening and I need to know what to do, what to say, and anything else since I have never done this before. Father if you are on here looking, please I need your help or anyone that can help me too I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Edited to say: You can answer on here, you don’t have to email me.

Let’s start here. Your question might mean one of two things, or both.

1. How do I prepare myself for confession? How do I go about making a mental list of my sins? This is called an “examination of conscience.”
2. What is the actual ritual of the sacrament? What do I say, what will the priest say, what do I actually do?

Be more specific and I’m sure the good people here will help you along.