Prayer During the Sacrament of Confession

Once you have completed your Examination Of Conscience, and you have told God that you are deeply sorry for your sins, enter the confessional box (or reconciliation room).

You may either:
– Kneel before the screen, or
– Sit so you can talk face to face to the priest.
You begin by saying these words (or similar ones.)
“I confess to Almighty God and to you, Father, that I have sinned. My last confession was ______________ weeks (months, years) ago.”
You say one of the following:
“Since then, I do not recall committing any mortal sins.”

Or

“Since then, I have committed mortal sins. They are…” (mention the sins, how many times they were committed and related circumstances.)
And then…
“My venial sins are…” (mention the sins and the number of times.)

Or

“I do not recall having committed any venial sins”
“For these and all the sins that I have committed during my life, I am deeply sorry.” Then listen to the words of the priest. When invited to do so, make an Act Of Contrition.

Example:
(“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell. 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.”)

Next,
– Listen to the priest’s words of forgiveness (absolution), and
– Make the Sign of the Cross with the priest.
If the priest says, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,”

You answer,
“For His mercy endures forever.”
Then you leave the confessional box (reconciliation room) and you say the penance that the priest gave you.

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The legacy of Prayer During the Sacrament of Confession

The Prayer During the Sacrament of Confession is a Catholic prayer that seeks God’s forgiveness and mercy for one’s sins. Catholics believe that the Sacrament of Confession is a powerful means of grace, enabling the faithful to receive God’s forgiveness and to be reconciled with the Church.

The origins of the Prayer During the Sacrament of Confession are unclear. However, it is likely that the prayer developed in response to the need for a formal prayer to be used during the Sacrament of Confession.

The prayer is typically offered by the penitent before or after confessing their sins to a priest. It is a reminder of the gravity of sin and the importance of seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy.

The Prayer During the Sacrament of Confession is a powerful expression of humility and penitence. It recognizes the need for forgiveness and healing and asks for God’s grace to assist in the process of repentance and conversion.

Today, the Prayer During the Sacrament of Confession remains an important part of Catholic tradition and is offered by countless Catholics around the world. It is a reminder of the importance of seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy and a call to strive for holiness and righteousness in all aspects of one’s life.