Approach the confessional in a humble and contrite spirit, and kneel down by your confessor. Then, making the sign of the cross, say, Benedicite, or, “Father, bless me, for I have sinned.” After he has given the blessing, say the Confiteor, in English or Latin, as far as the words, “through my most grievous fault”; then say, “Since my last confession, which was … ago, I accuse myself of ….” Here name all the sins which you have recalled to mind since your last confession; and, in confessing them, be sure to observe these rules:
- Let your confession be entire; i.e., do not knowingly conceal any one mortal sin; otherwise, so far from obtaining absolution, you do but add to your sins. State the kind of sins you have committed, and, as far as you can, their number; and mention any circumstances which you think would change the nature of your sins.
- Let your confession be pure. Let everything be mentioned sincerely and exactly, without any disguise or dissimulation; let the certain things be mentioned as certain, the doubtful as doubtful. Avoid all excuses for yourself, either direct or indirect; and take the greatest care not to throw blame on anyone else, or to mention or hint at the name of any third person. Avoid all superfluous words and matter, and everything which does not directly concern the integrity of the confession. Be as concise as you can, consistently with fullness and candor.
- Let your confession be humble, remembering that you are in an especial manner in the presence of God, from Whom, through His priest, you are seeking and expecting pardon. The thought of God at this moment will be your best protection against all false shame, insincere trifling, and affectation.
After you have confessed all your sins, according to these rules, say, “For these and all my other sins which I cannot now remember, I am heartily sorry, and humbly ask pardon of God, and penance and absolution of you, Father. Therefore I beseech Blessed Mary,” etc., to the end of the Confiteor.
Then listen attentively and humbly to the direction and advice of your confessor, and be fully resolved to do whatever he bids you to do, either in the way of penance, or restitution, or reparation, or for the avoiding of sin in the future. While he is giving you absolution, devoutly bow your head, and with all possible fervor recite the following 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.
