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Reconciliation

Proceeding to the Sacrament

  • Enter the Confessional. Remember, this is a Sacrament of God’s mercy and love, not of judgment. The Priest is bound by the Seal of the Confessional and cannot reveal anything that is said during a Confession to anyone. You can choose to either kneel behind the screen or sit face to face with the Priest. In either case, start off by making the Sign of the Cross and saying, Bless me Father for I have sinned. My last Confession was [the amount of time in weeks, months, or years] ago and these are my sins:
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  • Confess your sins, starting with the most serious.  All mortal sins should be Confessed. hen you have finished, you express sorrow for your sins and any you may have forgotten to Confess.
 
  • After you have Confessed your sins, the Priest may say a few words. He will then give you a ‘penance’ generally, in the way of prayers of reparation or a charitable act, and ask you to make an Act of Contrition. There are many versions that can be used, or you can express in your own words, as long as you express sorrow and a commitment to amend your life, as indicated in either of these two versions which you may use: 

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you,

and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments,

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 sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

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OR

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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 Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.

In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

  • After making an Act of Contrition, the Priest will absolve you of your sins. He will make the Sign of the Cross after praying Absolution and a Blessing over you, at which time you make the Sign of the Cross. 
     
  • When you leave the confessional, make sure you perform the penance the priest gave you as a sign of your desire to turn away from sin and toward Christ.
     
  • If you have any questions regarding this Sacrament, please contact the Parish Office.
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