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Faith

Confession

A gentle examination of conscience based on the Ten Commandments, and the steps of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

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Examination of conscience

  1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me. (CCC 2084–2141)

    • Have I made time for God in prayer, or let other things take his place?
    • Have I doubted or denied the faith, or sought help in superstition or the occult?

  2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (CCC 2142–2167)

    • Have I used God's name or holy things without respect?
    • Have I broken a promise or vow made before God?

  3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day. (CCC 2168–2195)

    • Have I missed Sunday Mass or a holy day of obligation without a serious reason?
    • Have I kept Sunday as a day of rest, family and charity?

  4. Honor your father and your mother. (CCC 2196–2257)

    • Have I shown respect, gratitude and care to my parents and family?
    • Have I fulfilled my duties toward those in my care?

  5. You shall not kill. (CCC 2258–2330)

    • Have I harmed anyone in body or spirit, or held on to anger and refused to forgive?
    • Have I neglected my health or led others into sin?

  6. You shall not commit adultery. (CCC 2331–2400)

    • Have I lived chastity according to my state of life, in thought, word and deed?
    • Have I been faithful and respectful in my relationships?

  7. You shall not steal. (CCC 2401–2463)

    • Have I taken or kept what belongs to others, or been dishonest at work?
    • Have I been generous with the poor and cared for creation?

  8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (CCC 2464–2513)

    • Have I lied, gossiped, or damaged someone's good name?
    • Have I repaired the harm caused by my words?

  9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. (CCC 2514–2533)

    • Have I guarded my heart and eyes, avoiding what leads to impurity?

  10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. (CCC 2534–2557)

    • Have I been envious or greedy, or unhappy at the good of others?

Draft text, pending pastoral review.

How to go to Confession

  1. Prepare: pray to the Holy Spirit and examine your conscience.
  2. Greet the priest and make the Sign of the Cross. You may say how long it has been since your last confession.
  3. Confess your sins simply and honestly: all grave (mortal) sins you are aware of after a careful examination, by kind and number (CCC 1456; Code of Canon Law, can. 988).
  4. Listen to the priest's counsel and accept the penance he gives.
  5. Pray an Act of Contrition.
  6. Receive absolution, give thanks, and complete your penance.

CCC 1450–1460

Act of Contrition

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

A Catechism of Christian Doctrine (Baltimore, 1885). Public domain.

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