during confession

· You can begin your confession by making the sign of the cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

· The priest encourages you to have confidence in God saying: “May the Lord be in your heart and help you to confess your sins with true sorrow.”

· Either the priest or you may read or say by heart some words taken from the Holy Scripture about the mercy of God and repentance, e.g.: Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you (John 21:17).

· Then, accuse yourself of your sins. You may begin, “Blessed me father, for I have sinned.”

· You may continue with the time since your last confession: “My last good confession was . . . (how many weeks, months or years approximately.”)

· Say the sins that you remember. Start with the one that is most difficult to say, after this it will be easier to mention the rest. If you received general absolution, tell this to the priest and the sins forgiven then.

· If you do not know how to confess, feel uneasy or ashamed, simply ask the priest to assist you. Be assured he will help you make a good confession. Simply answer the questions without hiding anything out of shame or fear. Place your trust in God; he is your merciful Father and wants to forgive you.

· If you do not remember any serious sins, be sure to confess at least some of your venial sins, adding at the end: “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life, especially for . . . (mention in general any past sin for which you are particularly sorry, for example all my sins against charity, purity, etc.”).

· The priest will give you the opportune advice to help you to be a better Christian, assign you some penance and invite you to manifest your contrition. You may say for example: Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

· The priest gives you the absolution. Listen to words the absolution attentively.

God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, X and of the Holy Spirit.

· At the end, answer: “Amen”.

· The priest may continue; May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace.

· Be willing to do the penance as soon as possible. This penance will diminish the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.