How to Go to Confession
Reconciliation, or penance, is one of Catholicism’s seven sacraments, and followers are expected to go to confession at least once a year. Rest assured that the priest, bound by the seal of confession, will not divulge your sins.
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You Will Need
- A conscience
- A priest
- A confessional or other private place
- The desire to seek forgiveness
- The will to be better
Steps
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Step 1
Examine actions since last confession
Examine your actions since your last confession. Reflect on those that have hurt other people or distanced you from God. Perhaps you’ve acted selfishly with a friend, or treated a family member unkindly. It goes without saying that you should already be reflecting on the heavy hitters, like adultery or theft.
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Step 2
Find out confession schedule
Call your local church or consult the parish bulletin to find out when confessions are scheduled. If necessary, you can also arrange a different time with a priest.
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Step 3
Enter the confessional
Enter the confessional or the designated meeting place.
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You do not have to be in a classic confessional to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
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Step 4
Greet the priest
Greet the priest.
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Step 5
Tell priest last confession date
Say, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been X days, months, or years since my last confession."
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Step 6
Tell priest of hurtful actions
Tell the priest about the hurtful actions you thought about earlier.
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Rather than giving him a laundry list of sins, take the opportunity to have an open dialogue with your confessor.
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Step 7
Receive penance from priest
Receive your penance from the priest, which is usually some form of prayer or reconciliation with another person.
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Step 8
Say the Act of Contrition
Say the Act of Contrition.
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Step 9
Receive priest's absolution
Receive the priest's absolution, which frees you of your sins.
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Step 10
Do your penance
Do your penance and resolve, as best you can, to avoid the same sins in the future.
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Step 11
Celebrate your forgiveness
Celebrate your forgiveness—just try not to commit any sins while doing so.
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A priest cannot break the confessional seal under penalty of automatic excommunication—even to report a crime.
