“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been about (x years) since my last confession. I have been angry x times, I have missed Mass x times, I have lied x times . . .(etc),. . .for these and all my past sins, I am very sorry”.
When the priest says, “. . .I absolve you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” he will ask you to make a good act of contrition.
“O My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. And I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, 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.”
Do whatever penance Father gives you, and REJOICE! I am so glad for you!
You will be so happy you did. I was in the same boat last October when I went to confession after more than 15 years. What a blessing! I did what some posters have suggested: Said the, “Bless me father…” and then listed the “biggies” that I was having the most regret for plus others that were really bothering me and then those that I could remember. I was worried that I would forget some of them, but I even made a list and practiced to myself several times before hand. The priest was very kind and wasn’t at all shocked at what I told him. When I told him I had forgotten the Act of Contrition, he helped me through it (“Are you sorry for your sins?” “Do you promise to avoid sin in the future?” or something of the like). Please know that your desire to return to this sacrament is a true blessing and it will give you such joy! What would we do without it?