Mercy

Stop by any Catholic parish to experience God's mercy and forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). If you haven't been in a while, this handy guide will help you prepare.

Before entering the Confessional or Reconciliation Room:

Begin with prayer, placing yourself in the presence of God, our loving Father. Seek healing and forgiveness through repentance and a resolve to sin no more.

Review your life since your last confession, searching your thoughts, words and actions that did not conform to God's love, to his law or to the laws of the Church. This is called an examination of conscience. Here are some questions to help you. They are based on the 10 Commandments.

* Do I pray to God every day? Have I thanked God for His gifts to me?
* Did I put my faith in danger through readings hostile to Catholic teachings or involvement in non-Catholic sects? Did I engage in superstitious practices: palm-reading or fortune-telling?
* Did I take the name of God in vain? Did I curse or take a false oath?
* Did I miss Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation through my own fault? Am I attentive at Mass? Did I keep fast and abstinence on the prescribed days?
* Did I disobey my parents and lawful superiors in important matters?
* Did I hate or quarrel with anyone, or desire revenge? Did I refuse to forgive? Was I disrespectful?
* Did I get drunk? Did I take illicit drugs?
* Did I consent to, recommend, advise or actively take part in an abortion?
* Did I willfully look at pornography, entertain impure thoughts or engage in impure conversations? Did I use artificial means to prevent conception?
* Was I unfaithful to my spouse? Did I engage in sexual activity outside of marriage?
Did I steal or damage another's property? Have I been honest and just in my business relations?
* Have I been responsive to the needs of the poor and respected the dignity of others?
* Did I tell lies? Did I sin by calumny, or detraction, of others? Did I judge others rashly in serious matters?
* Have I envied other people?

During the Sacrament:

* The priest gives you a blessing or greeting. He may share a brief Scripture passage.
* Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give the number of weeks, months, or years).
* Confess all of your sins to the priest. The priest will help you to make a good confession. If you are unsure about how to confess or you feel uneasy, just ask him to help you. Answer his questions without hiding anything out of fear or shame. Nothing that you say to the priest will ever be revealed. Place your trust in God, a merciful Father who wants to forgive you.
* Following your confession of sins, say: “I am sorry for these and all of my sins.”
* The priest assigns you a penance and offers advice to help you be a better Catholic.
* Say an Act of Contrition,* expressing your sorrow for your sins. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.

After you've left the Confessional or Reconciliation Room:

* Complete the penance you received.

*Act of Contrition (please note this is one option):

God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, 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 you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess my sins, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.