What to say at the end of confession?

[ccmcmg]

On occasion, I am able to respond, “His Mercy endures forever”.

Otherwise, I thank Father, and I try to remember to say, “God bless you, Father/Monsignor.”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is wonderful!! <3 God bless YOU!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

It really depends. There’s supposed to be the “Order” of confession but I seriously doubt anyone really uses it to the letter. I have always stuck to the traditional “Bless me Father for I have sinned.” It works well, always has, always will. There is no Bible reading, sermon or anything of the sort.

At the end, most priests I have ever confessed to says “Go in peace” and occasionally, he may add, “and pray for me, a sinner”, in which case a sufficiently good answer is “Thanks be to God” and/or simply “Thank you, Father.”

The response V. “His mercy endures forever” is said only in response to R. “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.” I have NEVER heard it said. Ever.

And, in fact, the Rite of Penance admits a variety of options that the priest and/or the penitent may use or not use.*
2) GREETING:
The priest will welcome you; he may say a short blessing or read a Scripture passage.

1. THE SIGN OF THE CROSS:
   Together, you and the priest will make the Sign of the Cross. You may then begin your confession with these or similar words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [give days, months, or years] since my last confession.”
2. CONFESSION:
   Confess all your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are finished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”

/…/

1. ABSOLUTION:
   The priest will extend his hands over your head and pronounce the words of absolution.
   You respond, “Amen.”
2. PRAISE:
   The priest will usually praise the mercy of God and will invite you to do the same. For example, the priest may say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.” And your response would be, “His mercy endures for ever” (Rite of Penance, no. 47).
3. DISMISSAL:
   The priest will conclude the sacrament, often saying, “Go in peace.” *
   There is, in fact, no one single way in which the rite must conclude. The confessor has broad discretion. Personally, I prefer not to use the ending “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good” and, if on occasion I do, I do not expect the penitent to know the response or to give it.

The above extracts are from guidance for the Rite of Penance as published by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/upload/Bulletin-Insert-Penance-ENG.pdf

The US Conference of Bishops, which offers many excellent resources, has aids for confession available at the website: www.usccb.org/confession

 

[ameliepoir]

There is, in fact, no one single way in which the rite must conclude. The confessor has broad discretion. Personally, I prefer not to use the ending “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good” and, if on occasion I do, I do not expect the penitent to know the response or to give it.

Thanks, Father! I will say a prayer for you today.

 

[otjm]

I’ve only had it a few times, though I have had it for my last two confessions, and I’m starting to hear it more.

I sometimes forget the response “His mercy endures forever” because I’m not used to the priests ending with “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.”

If the priests does not end with “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,” I will end my confession with “Thank you & God Bless You Father.”

Read Psalm 107,1; that will explain what was said and what your response might be.