Confession
Why We Confess Our Sins
Confession is one of the greatest gifts Christ has given to His Church. In this sacrament we meet the mercy of God in a personal way, our sins are forgiven, and we are strengthened to begin again. Confession is not something invented by the Church, but something given by Christ Himself.
After His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to the Apostles and said:
"Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and those whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20:22–23)
From the beginning, the Church has understood these words to mean that Christ gave His Apostles, and their successors, the authority to forgive sins in His name. When we go to confession, we are not speaking only to a priest, but to Christ Himself, who forgives us through the ministry of the Church.
Don't Be Afraid
Many people feel nervous about going to confession, especially if it has been a long time, but there is no need to worry. The priest is there to help you, and he will guide you if you are unsure what to do. What matters most is simply coming with honesty, humility, and a desire to receive God's mercy.
Everything you say in confession is completely confidential. The priest is bound by the seal of confession, which means he may never reveal anything he hears in confession for any reason at all. This is absolute, and it allows you to speak freely without fear.
First Confessions
A child usually makes their First Confession as part of their preparation for First Holy Communion, learning from an early age about God's mercy and forgiveness and the importance of forming a good conscience.
When can I go to Confession?
Please see our parish newsletter for regularly scheduled times for confession in church, or contact Fr Sean directly to arrange a confession at a convenient time, if you think your confession may take a bit longer than usual.
Before You Go
Before going to confession, take a little time to pray and ask God to help you see your sins honestly and to be truly sorry for them. You do not need to prepare perfectly. If you are unsure what to say, the priest can help you.
When you enter the confessional, you may either kneel behind the screen or sit facing the priest, depending on how the church is arranged.
You may find it helpful to use an examination of conscience such as:
Beginning the Confession
When you begin, make the Sign of the Cross and say:
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [say how long] since my last confession.
If you do not remember exactly how long, just give your best estimate. If it has been many years, you can simply say that it has been a long time. If you forget the words, the priest will help you.
Confessing Your Sins
Tell the priest the sins you remember since your last confession. Speak simply and honestly. You do not need to tell long stories, only what is necessary to make the sin clear.
All serious sins should be confessed, and you should try to say how often they have been committed, as far as you are able to remember. You do not need to be exact, but you should give a reasonable indication if you can. This helps you to make a complete confession and allows the priest to guide you properly.
Confession is for confessing your own sins. It is not the time to talk about the sins of other people, to explain what others have done wrong, or to list the good things you have done. We come to confession in humility, asking for mercy for our own sins.
Do not be afraid or embarrassed. The priest has heard everything before, and he is not there to judge you, but to help you receive God's forgiveness.
If you are unsure what to say, you can simply say:
Father, I am not sure how to confess,
and the priest will guide you.
When you have finished, you may say:
For these sins, and for all the sins of my past life, I am sorry.
Penance and Act of Contrition
The priest may give you some advice or encouragement. He will also give you a penance, which is usually a prayer, but may sometimes be another simple act. The penance is not a punishment, but a help to turn back to God and grow in faith.
The priest will then ask you to make an Act of Contrition, which is a prayer telling God that you are sorry for your sins. You may use these words, or another similar prayer:
O my God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
If you do not remember the prayer, do not worry. The priest can help you, or you may say the prayer in your own words.
Absolution
The priest will then say the prayer of absolution. These words are the moment when your sins are forgiven. At the end he will say:
I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
You answer:
Amen.