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Thursday of the nineteenth week of Ordinary Time·weekday·Ordinary TimeSacrament of Reconciliation
An interactive guide to help you prepare for the Sacrament of Confession, organized by the Ten Commandments, the Seven Deadly Sins, and your state of life.
An examination of conscience is a prayerful review of your thoughts, words, and actions in light of God's commandments. The Church encourages Catholics to examine their conscience regularly — especially before receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This practice helps you recognize areas where you have fallen short and opens your heart to God's mercy and forgiveness.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Check the boxes beside any questions that apply to you. These are for your personal reflection only — nothing is stored or saved.
After examining your conscience, pray this Act of Contrition to express your sorrow for sin. You will also be asked to pray it during Confession.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art 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.
Use the guide above to prayerfully review your sins since your last confession.
Make the Sign of the Cross and say: "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [time] since my last confession."
Tell the priest your sins honestly and completely. Include the kind and number of mortal sins. The priest may offer counsel and will assign a penance.
The priest will ask you to pray the Act of Contrition. You may use the prayer above or express contrition in your own words.
The priest will pray the prayer of absolution. Your sins are forgiven. Complete the penance the priest has given you as soon as possible.
An examination of conscience is a prayerful reflection on your thoughts, words, actions, and omissions in light of God's moral law and the teachings of the Church. It helps you identify sins to confess in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1454) teaches that it should be done in light of Scripture, especially the Sermon on the Mount and the Apostolic teachings.
The Church requires confession at least once a year if you are aware of mortal sin (CCC 1457). However, the Church strongly encourages more frequent confession — monthly or even every two weeks. Regular confession helps you grow in holiness, receive sacramental grace, and develop a more sensitive conscience.
A mortal sin is a grave violation of God's law that destroys charity in the heart and requires three conditions: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent (CCC 1857). Venial sin weakens charity but does not destroy it. While only mortal sins must be confessed, confessing venial sins is highly recommended for spiritual growth.
If you genuinely forget a sin during Confession, it is still forgiven through the Sacrament. You should mention it at your next Confession. A forgotten sin is not the same as a deliberately concealed sin — intentionally hiding a mortal sin makes the confession invalid.
Absolutely. God's mercy has no expiration date. The priest has heard it all and is there to help you, not to judge you. Simply tell the priest how long it has been since your last confession, and he will guide you through it. Many people describe returning to Confession after a long time as one of the most freeing experiences of their life.
This is very common and not a reason for discouragement. The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives grace to fight sin, even habitual sin. What matters is genuine contrition and a sincere resolution to amend your life. St. Francis de Sales said: "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself."
Yes. The seal of Confession is absolute and inviolable (CCC 1467). A priest may not reveal anything said in Confession for any reason, under penalty of excommunication. This seal applies without exception and cannot be broken even under threat of death or legal compulsion.
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