How to Go to Confession
Begin by making the Sign of the Cross with the priest and say:
“Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (state how long) since my last confession. These are my sins.”
Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. You might even want to discuss the circumstances and the root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice or direction. You have to confess mortal sins in number and kind as best as you are able. If you want to write them down or use a phone app to help you remember, that is fine. Don’t be afraid – the priest is a sinner too. Don’t be worried – the priest can’t tell anyone what you tell him, as he is in this moment an agent of God’s grace.
When you are finished say: “I am sorry for these sins and all the sins I cannot remember.” The truth is there are usually more. This is also a good way to let the priest know you aren't just trying to recollect something else.
Listen to the priest and accept the penance from him. Penances are things we do to begin again, and to show God we are sorry – prayers, reflections or works of charity. Write it down on the back of one of the Act of Contrition copies if you need to.
Pray the Act of Contrition. There are lots of different versions, or you can make up your own as long as it contains the essential elements – sorrow for sin and resolve to sin no more.
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.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Receive Absolution. The priest will pray the prayer through which your signs are forgiven by the grace of God. Make the sign of the Cross when the priest says, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
The priest will then conclude with the words: “Go in Peace”.
You respond: “Thanks be to God.”
The grace of Confession is absolution of sins, as we are also raised up by God’s love and mercy to begin again in His grace.
Examination of Conscience
Pride - Pride is the mother of all sin.
Have I refused to admit my own weaknesses?
Have I dwelt on the failings of others?
Have I judged others, in thought or word?
Have I ranked myself better than others?
Have I borne hatred/dislike for others?
Have I refused to learn from others?
Have I been irritable with others?
Have I been critical of others?
Have I been slow to listen to others and quick to speak over them?
Have I been stubborn? Refused to admit I was wrong?
Have I refused to accept that another person had a better idea?
Have I been arrogant?
Vanity - Vanity is excessive concern about what others think of me -not just what they think of my appearance.
Have I been overly concerned about what others think of me? Have I allowed this to motivate my actions?
Have I failed to follow God's will because of a fear of what others might think of me?
Have I lied or exaggerated to make myself look good?
Have I wasted undue time and money on clothes and appearance?
Have I been content with my lowly position, or have I resented the role that Christ asks of me?
Do I constantly spend time correcting my hair, clothing or other aspects of my appearance?
Lust - Lust is a disordered desire for sexual pleasure.
Have I maintained custody of my eyes or have I allowed them to wander?
Have I viewed other people as mere sexual objects rather than as persons to be loved and served?
Have I viewed pornography or related sexual or sexualized material on the internet? or TV? or Social Media?
Have I entertained impure thoughts?
Have I engaged in masturbation?
Anger/Wrath - Anger is undue desire for vengeance - undue in cause or in amount.
Have I harbored resentment, grudges, and hatred in my thoughts?
Have I nurtured imaginary angry conversations?
Have I been slow to forgive?
Have I lost my temper?
Impatience:
How have I carried my cross without complaint or self-pity?
Have I been impatient with people, family, events, sufferings, sicknesses?
Covetousness/Avarice - Avarice is the excessive love of possessing things.
Have I been overly concerned about my own comfort and well-being?
Have I been resentful of my lack of money or resources?
Have I been generous in giving? Have I given with a cheerful heart?
Have I avoided sacrificial giving? Do I only give what is easy to give?
Have I cheated or stolen?
Have I used people for my own ends and advantage?
Envy Jealousy - is sadness at the happiness of another
Have I envied or been jealous of the abilities, talents, ideas, good-looks, intelligence, possessions, friends of others?
Gossip:
Have I judged others in my thoughts?
Have I damaged the reputation of another person by my words, attitude, or looks/reactions/responses?
Have I repeated accusations that might not be true? Have I exaggerated?
Have I failed to defend the reputation of others?
Have I failed to keep secrets?
Do I despise others of different races?
Class or culture?
Lies:
Have I lied, exaggerated, or distorted the truth?
Sloth / Apathy - Laziness, especially in the things of God. Sloth is a sorrow in the face of spiritual good -it makes you lethargic and want to do nothing and/or it drives you to neglect spiritual goods.
Have I sought God above all else, or have I put other priorities ahead of him? (e.g. friendships, ambition, comfort)
Have I got so caught up in the things of this world that I've forgotten God?
Have I risked losing my faith/piety by bad company, bad reading, cowardice, or pride?
Have I trusted God, especially in times of difficulty?
Have I attended Mass every Sunday?
Have I neglected to say my daily prayers?
Have I entertained distractions in prayer or during mass?
Have I received Holy Communion while in a state of serious sin?
Have I taken the Lord's name in vain? Or used other foul language?
Have I been attentive to the needs of my neighbor, the needs of my extended or immediate family?
Has my conversation been focused on my own pleasure, or on others?
Has my humor been insensitive to others?
Have I been more focused on myself than on the needs of others?
Have I spent time with my family? How have I manifested my concern for them?
Punctuality and Self-Discipline:
Have I wasted other people's time or dishonored them by being late or have I failed to keep my commitments regarding being on time?
Have I gone to sleep on time?
Have 1 made good use of my time, or have I wasted time needlessly? e.g. phone, TV, gaming, or internet?
Gluttony - Gluttony is the inordinate or excessive desire for, focus on, attachment to, or use of food or other material goods.
Have I consumed more than I need to - more than my body needs to maintain a healthy weight?
Have I consumed food or drink that is damaging to my body to satisfy my tastes or appetites?
Have I eaten greedily with little consideration for those at table with me?
Have I failed to practice fasting and self-denial, especially on Fridays?
Do I spend excessive energy and expense seeking to ensure my food or environment is perfectly to my desires (temperature, texture, atmosphere)?
Do I spend excessive energy seeking comfort?