Many churches announce confession times on a sign outside the church or as part of the church bulletin, which can almost always be found at the entrances. Some are even up online! Private sessions are a good idea if you have a lot to talk about. A normal confession may last about 5-10 minutes. If you think yours will last a lot longer, feel free to ask for a private session.
Many people choose to make an examination of conscience by reviewing the 10 commandments, or by reviewing some of these questions:[3] X Research source Have I disobeyed any of the commandments? Have I nourished my faith? Has anything else in my life influenced me more than God? Have I denied or doubted my faith? Have I hurt others, either accidentally or purposefully? Have I rejected any part of my faith? Have I been forgiving? What are the causes of my sins? What temptations do I surround myself with?
Remember that the most important part of confession is your honesty and earnestness. Even if you forget to confess some sins, what matters is that you’re seeking forgiveness. Also keep in mind that the priest has vowed to keep your confession a secret, and to keep it even under threat of death! You don’t have to be afraid to admit to your wrongdoings; it stays between you, the priest, and God.
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [however many weeks, months, or years] since my last confession. " Sometimes the priest will then make some conversation about your faith or your personal life. This is an opportunity to relax and make yourself comfortable before you dive into confessing your sins.
For example, a brief confession of a sin might be something like, “I was unkind to my coworker a few weeks ago,” or, “I gossiped about my sister to my friend. ” Take special care to confess your mortal sins. If you’re not sure if a sin is venial or mortal, or if you’re having trouble grappling with your sins, ask your priest for counsel. No matter what you confess, he’s there to listen and be understanding. When you’re finished, say something like, “These are all the sins I can remember,” or, “I ask forgiveness for these sins,” to signal to the priest that you’ve finished.
”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 loveabove all things. I firmly intend, with your help,to do penance, to sin no more, andto avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. ” Don’t worry if you forget the prayer; the priest will help you recite it. Penance often comes in the form of saying a certain number of prayers or doing charitable acts.
”Absolution” means your sins are washed away. “Penance” is your expression of regret and repentance, showing God that you’re truly sorry for what you’ve done and that you wish for nothing more than to be forgiven.
There’s no set schedule for how often you should confess. God will accept your confession and offer forgiveness even if you go years without confessing, but it’s best to confess more often than not.
