Before you speak

The Sign of the Cross

We now start by making the Sign of the Cross.

We begin prayer in the name of the Holy Trinity.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The hand moves with the words: forehead, then the breast, then the left shoulder, then the right. Some places touch the right shoulder before the left. The words stay the same.

1. 

   1. Forehead. In the name of the Father.

2. 

   2. Breast. And of the Son.

3. 

   3. Left shoulder. And of the Holy.

4. 

   4. Right shoulder. Spirit. Amen.

Before

Pray for light. Then look at your life. An examination is a look, not a case you bring against yourself. Name the sins in kind. For a grave sin, say how often you remember. Leave nothing serious out, and do not tell someone else’s story.

Confession is with a Priest. He gives absolution. Say the Act of Contrition.

What you say

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [how long] since my last confession. These are my sins. [Say the sins, in kind, and for grave sins how often you remember.] I am sorry for these and for all the sins of my life. [Listen to the counsel and the penance.] Then the Act of Contrition. The Priest gives absolution. When he has finished, say Amen, and do the penance.

The Act of Contrition