How to Receive the Sacrament of Penance
The Sacrament of Penance is sometimes the forgotten sacrament of the Catholic Church. Many Catholics leave the faith, only to return to it many years later. It is confusing and overwhelming for those who want to reestablish the faith, but do not remember the steps to receive the Sacrament of Penance. Other members may not regularly participate in the Sacrament of Penance for other reasons. Here, we will provide the steps to refresh your memory, so you can renew your confidence in receiving peace and forgiveness.
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Instructions
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Say a prayer before confessions and do a thorough personal inventory. Think about all your mortal and venial sins, writing them down if you wish. Ask God to accept your sorrow and ask for grace.
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Go into the confession booth and have a seat. If you are hearing impaired or need face-to-face confession, sit in the chair across from the priest instead of the curtained booth.
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Begin your penance. The priest will give the sign of the cross, allowing you to ask for a blessing and tell him how long it has been since your last confession. If it has been six months since your last confession say, “Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been six months since my last confession.” Do not be ashamed if it has been many years if you are returning to your faith.
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Confess all of your mortal and venial sins. Confess the type of sin and how many times for that type of sin. If you get nervous and do not say your sins in a particular order or number, it is ok to proceed as you are comfortable.The purpose of listing your sins is to list those things that are most deeply on your heart. Do not feel frustrated if you've forgotten something.
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Say you are sorry at the end of your confession. Declare your sorrow with a small prayer or sentence. Common responses are, “For these and all the sins of my life I am sorry.”
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Listen to the priest’s counsel and his penance for you. The priest may offer suggestions and console you on your struggles. Absorb this advice and feel the unconditional love you receive through these words. The priest will give you a penance, which you will complete after the confession. A typical penance may be to say three Hail Mary’s and the Apostle’s Creed.
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Make an Act of Contrition. Let the Father know that you will sin no more and that you are truly sorry for your sins. If you sin again, know that the Lord will forgive you, as long as you sincerely try not to sin again.
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Get absolution from the priest. The priest will give you absolution, forgiving you in the name of the Father. He will say, “Amen,” and you can say this with him or repeat this after him. Leave the confession booth and complete your penance as soon as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have recently returned to the Catholic Church, do not be intimidated to return to the Sacrament of Penance. Many go decades without going to confession and it is very difficult. The priest is aware of the burdens one may have accumulated over the years. Let the priest guide you during your confession if you need.
Make an appointment with the priest for confession if you have special circumstances. Some Catholic churches do not have the chair available for face-to-face confessions so an appointment may be the best for those hard of hearing.
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