Catholic Mission

 

FORMULA FOR A GOOD CONFESSION

Reception of the Penitent

  • When the penitent comes to confess his sins, the priest welcomes him/her warmly and greets him/her with kindness.
  • Then the penitent makes the sign of the cross which the priest may make also.
  • The priest invites the penitent to have trust in God. When the priest finishes praying, the penitent answers, Amen.

Reading of the Word of God (optional)

  • The priest may read or say from memory a text of scripture which proclaims God’s mercy and calls one to conversion.

Confession of Sins & Penance

  • After the confession of sins, with which the priest may help if necessary, the priests proposes a penance which the penitent accepts. The penance may be a prayer or prayers, a reading from scripture, or some more creative penance like an act of charity toward someone the penitent has injured.

Prayer of Sorrow

  • The priest then asks the penitent to express his/her sorrow, which the penitent may do in the form of an Act of Contrition prayer.

Prayer of Absolution

  • The priest extends his hands over the penitent’s head and prays aloud. When he is finished, the penitent answers, Amen.
Praise of God & Dismissal
  • After the absolution, the priest dismisses the penitent.

 

  
 
 

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