- 02 May, 2025
The season of Lent is a time of repentance, reflection, and spiritual renewal. One of the most important aspects of this holy season is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where we confess our sins and receive God’s mercy.
However, many people struggle with making a proper confession, either due to fear, forgetfulness, or uncertainty about the process. This article will guide you through a step-by-step approach to making a good confession, focusing on examining your conscience, properly recording your sins, and overcoming fear of the priest.
Before going to confession, it is essential to examine your conscience thoroughly. This means reflecting on your actions, thoughts, and words since your last confession to identify where you have sinned. Here are some practical steps:
Pray for Guidance: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recall your sins honestly and with humility.
Use the Ten Commandments as a Guide: Go through each commandment and reflect on how you may have broken them in thought, word, or deed.
Reflect on the Seven Deadly Sins: Consider whether you have fallen into pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, or sloth.
Think About Sins of Omission: Sometimes, sin is not only about what we do but also what we fail to do—such as neglecting prayer, failing to help those in need, or ignoring God’s call to holiness.
Many people struggle to remember all their sins during confession. Writing them down can help you confess clearly and avoid forgetting anything important. Here’s how to do it properly:
Be Specific but Brief: Instead of saying, “I lied,” specify, “I lied to my parents multiple times to avoid getting in trouble.”
Include Frequency and Circumstances (If Necessary): If a sin is habitual or serious, mention how often it occurs. For example, “I have missed Sunday Mass five times out of laziness.”
Avoid Unnecessary Details: The priest does not need to know every detail of the situation, only what is essential to understand the nature of the sin.
After writing your sins down, take a moment to pray for forgiveness even before you enter the confessional.
One of the biggest obstacles people face in going to confession is fear of the priest. Here are some ways to overcome this fear:
Remember That the Priest Represents Christ: The priest is not there to judge you but to act as Christ’s instrument of mercy. When he absolves you, it is Christ Himself forgiving you.
Know That the Priest Has Heard It All Before: No matter how serious your sins are, priests have heard them before. You will not shock or surprise them.
Consider Confessing Behind the Screen: If you are anxious, you can go to confession anonymously behind a screen instead of face-to-face.
Think About the Relief You Will Feel Afterward: The devil wants to keep you away from confession by making you afraid. But remember, the peace and freedom you will feel after confession far outweigh the temporary discomfort.
After confessing your sins, the priest will give you some advice and assign a penance. Then, you will say the Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow and resolve to turn away from sin. One common version is:
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, 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 You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen."
Once you have received absolution, your sins are completely forgiven, and you are given a fresh start. However, confession should lead to real change. Do your assigned penance promptly and sincerely, and make efforts to avoid repeating the sins you confessed.
Making a proper confession during Lent is a powerful way to experience God’s mercy and prepare spiritually for Easter. By thoroughly examining your conscience, writing down your sins, and overcoming fear of the priest, you can approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation with confidence and receive the grace you need to grow in holiness. Never let fear or shame keep you from experiencing the joy of God’s forgiveness!
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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