A Guide to the
Sacrament of Reconciliation

A wellspring of mercy awaits us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is a gift, a means of grace, a way to God, and a way back to God. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you light as you begin your Examination of Conscience."Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind and soften my heart, so that I can know my sins and be truly sorry for them."

• Examination of Conscience
• During Confession
• Closing Prayer

• Back

Examination of Conscience

Pray:
Ask God for the grace to make a good confession.Examine your conscience:
Reflect on your actions, words, and thoughts since your last confession, using the following examination of conscience to help you recall any sins.[Reflection on my relationship with God]
1. Hope in God
- Do I fully trust in God’s promise of salvation, even in times of difficulty?
- Do I seek to strengthen my faith and hope through prayer and the sacraments?
- Have I neglected my participation in the Sunday Eucharist and in times of personal prayer?2. Listening to the Word
- Do I make an effort to listen to the Word of God and put it into practice in my daily life?
- Do I allow the Word of God to enlighten my decisions and guide my path?3. Gratitude and Praise
- Do I thank God for daily blessings, recognizing his presence in my life?
- Have I been indifferent or ungrateful to the gifts I receive?[Reflection on my relationship with others]
1. Walking together as a community
- Do I value and actively participate in my parish or ecclesial community?
- Have I been welcoming and understanding to those who have opinions or experiences different from mine?2. Synodality: Listening and dialoguing
- Have I listened attentively and without prejudice to the people around me?
- Have I promoted dialogue and reconciliation in my family, community, or work?3. Love and Service
- Have I shown compassion and solidarity with the poor, the marginalised, and the needy?
- Have I acted with justice, avoiding all forms of discrimination or exclusion?[Reflection on my relationship with creation]
1. Custodians of creation
- Am I aware of my responsibility to care for the environment as an expression of my faith?
- Have I adopted habits that promote sustainability and reduce my ecological impact?2. Hope for future generations
- Have I worked to leave a better world for future generations?
- Have I promoted a culture of care, respect, and hope in my environment?[Reflection on my mission in the world]
1. Christian witness
- Have I been an effective witness of Christian hope in my environment, especially in times of crisis?
- Am I ashamed of my faith, or do I live it with courage and joy?2. Commitment to justice and peace
- Have I contributed to building a more just and peaceful world?
- Have I been indifferent to injustice, or have I passively tolerated it?3. Evangelisation
- Do I share the hope of the Gospel with those around me?
- Do I strive to be an instrument of unity in the Church and in the world?

• Back

During Confession

1. Bless yourself
with the Sign of the Cross2. Say “Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned. It has been [days/months/years]
since my last confession.”3. Say “My sins are...”
[Tell the priest your sins]4. Say “I will try not to do these things that are wrong anymore. For these and all of my sins,
I am truly sorry”5. Listen to the penance and advice that the priest
accords to you.6. When invited by the priest,
say an Act of Contrition:
”My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you whom
I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me
to sin”.7. The priest will then give an Absolution and Final Blessing8. Say "Amen"
and thank the priest9. Return to the pew to do the assigned Penance and prayers. Resolve to receive Sacrament of Confession often.

• Back

Closing Prayer

Lord, source of our hope, help me to walk with you and with my brothers and sisters in a spirit of communion, participation and mission.Forgive my sins and strengthen my faith, so that I may be a faithful witness of your love in the world. May this Jubilee Year renew my heart and inspire me to live with joy and hope, always trusting in your mercy. Amen.