Why Confess My Sins... Especially to a Priest?
CONFESSION AS A RECONCILIATION... A RETURN TO FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD“But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide.
I said “I will confess my offense to the Lord.” And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 32:5
“But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide.
I said “I will confess my offense to the Lord.” And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 32:5
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD.
Since the Original Sin & our expulsion from Eden, confession is our way back… to the Tree of Life. These are some of the biblical & historical roots & reasons for confessing our sins.
The first step: recalling my sins… and the times I’ve fallen short of living a Christian life? Here are some ways to reflect on how we’ve failed to love God, neighbor, & even my enemies…
The second step: these are the basics for confessing your sins and receiving penance and absolution from the priest… in the person of Christ (in persona Christi).
In “The Dialogue” with God the Father, Saint Catherine of Sienna speaks of a more perfect contrition… or a a sorrow for our sins out of a deep love for God (vs a fear of hell or punishment).
“DO I INDEED DERIVE ANY PLEASURE FROM THE DEATH OF THE WICKED? SAYS THE LORD GOD…
…DO I NOT RATHER REJOICE WHEN HE TURNS FROM HIS EVIL WAY THAT HE MAY LIVE?” ~EZEKIEL 18:23
WHY CONFESS MY SINS... ESPECIALLY TO A PRIEST?
CONFESSION AS A RECONCILIATION... A RETURN TO FRIENDSHIP WITH GODDr. Scott Hahn presentation “The Healing Power of Confession”..
Dr. Scott Hahn presentation “The Healing Power of Confession”..
Dr. Scott Hahn presentation “The Healing Power of Confession”..
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
“TO HIM ALL THE PROPHETS TESTIFY, SAYING THAT…
…EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM HAS FORGIVENESS OF SINS THROUGH HIS NAME.” ~ACTS 10:43
FEELING CONTRITION FOR OUR SINS
NURTURING A LOVING SORROW FOR HAVING OFFENDED OUR GOD“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO COMMUNION WITH GOD.
AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
RECALLING THE WAYS WE'VE FALLEN SHORT OF LOVING GOD & NEIGHBOR“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO COMMUNION WITH GOD.
CONFESSING OUR SINS TO A PRIEST
STEPS FOR CONFESSING OUR SINS, RECEIVING ABSOLUTION & PENANCEFINDING A CATHOLIC PRIEST
FINDING A CATHOLIC PRIEST
FINDING A CATHOLIC PRIEST
The map linked in the tab above is not necessarily complete or accurate (as schedules may change), but it is a good resource for locating many Catholic Churches, especially within the United States. The filters may also be used to isolate Confession Schedules. If you have not been to confession in many years, you may wish to locate a phone number in order to schedule a dedicated time for confession.
PERFORMING AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
PERFORMING AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
PERFORMING AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
There are several options or lists for performing an examination of conscience. Two of the more common lists are the Ten Commandments or the Nine Beatitudes. However, it may be helpful to begin with the Seven Mortal (i.e., Capital or Deadly) Sins. Mortal Sins are those that eternally separate us from God, if not confessed… compared to Venial Sins which do not result in eternal death, but which should still be confessed. As Saint John tells us (1 John 5:16-17)…
“If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that is not a deadly sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not deadly. There is sin which is deadly; I do not say one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not deadly.”
The remaining lists generally consist of virtues and corresponding vices. In the last list, we’ve tried to consolidate several lists as a way of seeing the connections among sins… in order to better understand and root them out.
Finally, it should be said the most grievous of sins are against the Holy Spirit… sins which will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:31)… e.g., sins of despair or an unwillingness to repent or to ask God for forgiveness. To be clear, there is no sin that can separate us from the love or mercy of God… but only if we’re willing to ask… to humbly yet confidently appeal to His mercy. Let us not be afraid to approach God’s infinite mercy (lest we fall victim to despair)… let us not cultivate a hardness of heart (lest we fall prey to pride)… and let us not habituate unconfessed sin (lest we convince ourselves that sin, Satan, God, or a need for confession don’t exist).
FEELING SORROW FOR OUR SINS & A FIRM PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT
FEELING SORROW FOR OUR SINS & A FIRM PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT
FEELING SORROW FOR OUR SINS & A FIRM PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT
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CULTIVATING A MORE PERFECT CONTRITION
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CULTIVATING A MORE PERFECT CONTRITION
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CULTIVATING A MORE PERFECT CONTRITION
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CONFESSING OUR SINS TO A PRIEST
CONFESSING OUR SINS TO A PRIEST
CONFESSING OUR SINS TO A PRIEST
- PRAY: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- SAY: Bless me Father for I have sinned… it has been [lapsed time] since my last confession.
- SAY your sins simply, even bluntly, distinguishing between venial and mortal sins, as the latter should be confessed in kind and number.
PRAYING THE ACT OF CONTRITION
PRAYING THE ACT OF CONTRITION
PRAYING THE ACT OF CONTRITION
The priest may guide you in praying the Act of Contrition or may have the prayer printed on a card… or you may choose one of the options above…
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.
*From the Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92.
O my God, I am sorry and repent with all my heart for all the wrong I have done and for the good I have failed to do, because by sinning I have offended you, who are all good and worthy to be loved above all things. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid the occasions of sin. Through the merits of the Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ, Lord, have mercy.
*From the Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92.
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
*From the Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
*From the Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92
RECEIVING ABSOLUTION
RECEIVING ABSOLUTION
RECEIVING ABSOLUTION
The priest will pray the following prayer of absolution:
“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”