- Examine your conscience.
- Introduction.
- begin by making the Sign of the Cross (praying the words out loud)
- say “Bless me, Father, I have sinned. It has been (how long) since my last confession. These are my sins…”
- Confession.
- Say your sins (try not to be too general, but not a lot of detail either)
- Penance.
- the priest will suggest something for you to do or pray after you leave
- Contrition.
- pray your “Act of Contrition” out loud for the priest to hear
- Absolution.
- the priest will pray the “Prayer of Absolution”
- you respond “Amen”
- Conclusion.
- the priest will say something like “God has freed you from your sin. Go in Peace.”
- you respond “Thanks be to God”
PDF Quick Reference – 1 page guide from Busted Halo