"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion." (CCC 1422)
The Sacrament of Penance (also known as Confession or Reconciliation) is offered regularly at Immaculate Conception. Please see our main page for the scheduled time for Confession.
If it has been a while since your last confession, you may prepare to return to the Sacrament through many Catholic resources online. Here is a brief summary of the Rite of Penance:
Confession may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between you and the priest. At Immaculate Conception, we prefer anonymity for the benefit of the penitent and the priest.
Once you enter the confessional:
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Make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give the number of weeks, months or years), and these are my sins.
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Then proceed with confessing all of your sins to the priest. The priest will help you to make a good confession. If you are unsure about how to confess or you feel uneasy, just ask him to help you. Answer his questions without hiding anything out of fear or shame. Place your trust in God, a merciful Father who wants to forgive you.
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When you are finished confessing all the sins you can recall, indicate to the priest you are finished by saying: “I am sorry for these and all of my sins.”
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The priest then may offer some advice, and/or assign you a penance.
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Then say an Act of Contrition, expressing sorrow for your sins and an intention to not sin again.
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The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins, and the Sacrament is complete.
Try to memorize an Act of Contrition (although often there is one available in the confessional)
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, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
