Private Confession: How to Confess Sins

Confessing Your Sins

LENTEN SEASON: Confession: How to Confess Sins.

Confession of Sins

How to Confess Sins

Confession is a practice that has already developed into an institutionalized practiced -- imbued with certain beliefs and strict rules to follow. Hence, private confession requires a lot of preparation. Here are the things you have to do (or know) before private confession:

How to Confess Sins:

Know how the confession will go about. Basically, here are the succeeding stages of private confession, along with related attitudes that everyone has to follow diligently every time he or she confesses:
- The Examination of Conscience.
- Confessing Your Sins.
- Priest's/Confessor's Advice.
- Absolution/Act of Contrition.
- (Private) Prayer (to Mary) After Confession.
That first stage is when you should evaluate what sins you have committed. Have a firm purpose of confessing them and amending them. (But then you also have to know if what things you committed are considered 'sins.')

Before you can continue with your confession, you first have to believe and acknowledge that the Priest/Confessor before you is God's 'called' representative. His presence. It's always uncomfortable confessing for the first time, which is understandable. Knowing what to say beforehand could help a great deal. You can rehearse in your mind, saying something like, "Bless me Father, for I have sinned" as an introduction, or, "I ask pardon for these and any other sins that may have escaped my memory" as a concluding remark. Note that these are recognized libretto for speaking with the Father.

Obviously, in the last two steps, you have to know the two prayers you need for reflection.
Memorize the prayers involved in confession.
- The Act of Contrition. O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee; And I detest all sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell; But most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are 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. Amen.
- Prayer After Confession. Mary, Mother of mercy and refuge of sinners, Pray for me; Help me thank Thy Divine Son for His goodness in pardoning me; And assist me, that I may not offend Him again - But love and serve Him with all my heart. Amen.
Observe proper conduct while confessing.
- While confessing your sins, humble yourself. Bow in complete acceptance of your infirmities and unworthiness. Enumerate your sins and the number of times you have committed them. Careful not to be carried away by your emotions as you spill your thoughts about the event of your sinning. Don't judge others that may have been involved. Let your confession be plain, to-the-point, honest, prudent, and all-inclusive.
- Listen attentively to the Priest's advice and instructions. Accept the penance he would give you.
- During Absolution, bow in submission as the Priest places his hand over your head and absolves you. As you receive God’s forgiveness, in your silence, say the Act of Contrition. Don't forget to thank the Priest before exiting the confession box to find a spot for your private prayer to Mary. Express your genuine gratitude for the experience.

The perfect time for private confession is immediately after you realize that you have committed a sin. It's also advisable to confess your sins at least once every year, preferably during the Lenten season.