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  • Writer's picturemargaret kozak
    • Mar 28, 2023
    • 5 min read

The Sacrament of Penance

Updated: Mar 20

Penance is an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy.


It frees us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."


Before we start lets look at the Examination of Conscience

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one's thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.

There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. Below are a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament.








The Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance / Confession

There are four primary actions in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all of which contribute in some way to the healing that takes place: confession of sin; expression of contrition or sorrow for sin; doing penance ("satisfaction"), which expresses a desire to avoid sin; and absolution from sin. Essentially there are two "movements" in the sacrament: our movement toward God and God's toward us.



Confession entails admitting and naming one's sin. It is in this act that the penitent names his or her sins, acknowledging the judgment of God over his or her actions. For some, especially those who are celebrating the sacrament for the first time or after a long time, this might seem awkward, for it is difficult to admit one's faults. The Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, however, that even on a strictly human level, confessing one's sins can be a freeing experience (CCC, no. 1455) as a means of unburdening oneself of those burdens. Generally there is an expectation that confession of sin be integral and thorough, and the priest can be of assistance in guiding the penitent through such a process. He can also offer counsel regarding the process of conversion from sin.

Contrition is one's expression of sorrow for sin. Simply approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation can at some level be an expression of contrition. Contrition "occupies first place" in the work of the sacrament (see CCC, no. 1451), but the expression of the "Act of Contrition" usually follows after the confession of sin. The sinner expresses the desire for a right relationship with God, which entails doing God's will. Contrition comes about through understanding the nature of one's relationship with God as an invitation and a call to discipleship, and an awareness of the ways in which one has not lived up to that call. The sinner who desires God's forgiveness seeks the Lord, because he or she recognizes that overcoming sin and resisting temptation come not from one's own abilities but with God's help.

The Act of Contrition 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. Amen.

Satisfaction for sin is the way in which the sinner shows his or her "firm purpose of amendment," which means that the sinner demonstrates by action the intention to heal the harm done by sin. When someone harms another, the process of reconciliation in that relationship entails making restitution, and that gesture in itself is a healing remedy. In the celebration of the sacrament, the penitent is offered a suggested act of penance as a means of making satisfaction. Sometimes the suggested penance is a concrete gesture to make amends for a particular sin, but at other times the penance can be something broader, such as a particular act of charity. Even a penance involving prayer or devotion can be offered, because such prayer helps the sinner to reorient his or her life to the presence of Jesus Christ and his love for the sinner, which flows from his Cross. An integrated Christian life is one in which actions flow from prayer. The sinner's expression of contrition and demonstration of firm purpose of amendment together manifest such integration in his or her life.

Absolution from sin is offered by the priest acting in persona Christi, "in the person of Christ." The real power of the sacrament is this incarnational moment, as the healing power of Christ in his forgiveness is given a real face and a real voice in the person of the priest. One can pray to God to ask forgiveness anytime, and all are encouraged to do so as a means of seeking and finding forgiveness for minor everyday faults (i.e., venial sins), but only in the sacramental celebration is that gift of forgiveness offered in such concrete form. The priest's prayer of absolution states, "Through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This makes clear the prayer for God's gifts ("of pardon and peace"), but the declaration, "I absolve you," is far more powerful than an invocation or request for forgiveness. The power to offer absolution has its roots in Jesus' giving the authority to forgive to the Apostles (see Mt 16:19; Jn 20:23).

The process of seeking, receiving, and celebrating God's mercy and forgiveness is meant to be source of joy. It is difficult to admit one's faults, and sometimes even more difficult to ask forgiveness. Pope Francis, however, reminds us that it need not be something to fear, because the Lord is always ready and eager to bestow his healing love.
Taken from usccb.org

Confession begins with the:
(1) Sign of the Cross and the penitent greeting the priest with the words,
(2) “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was ….” (weeks, months, years).
The penitent
(3) Confesses sins to the priest, who stands in the name of Christ and the Church. The priest will help you make a good confession. If you are unsure or uneasy, ask the priest to help. Place your trust in God, a merciful Father who wants to forgive you. Following the confession of sins, say, (4) “This is all I can remember. I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
The priest will assign you a
(5) Penance. The penance takes into account your personal situation and supports your spiritual good. It may be a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service, or sacrifice; whatever the penance, the individual is joined in some way to Christ and the cross.
The penitent will then pray an
(6) Act of Contrition. This prayer expresses true sorrow for the sins confessed. This prayer may be expressed in one’s own words or one may use one of the formal prayers of sorrow.

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. (Rite of Penance, no. 45)

The priest, acting in the person of Christ, will absolve you from your sins by saying the prayer of (7) Absolution. As the prayer is ending, the penitent makes the
(8) Sign of the Cross and responds, “Amen.”
The priest will express some
(9) Words of praise and blessing. The penitent leaves, completing the
(10) Assigned penance.
Taken from: https://www.altoonacathedral.org/confession-step-by-step/

Here's a PDF of the above so you can print it and take it along for your first confession



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