Opening Prayers
Through the prayers of our holy father, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!
Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come, and dwell with us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Come, let us worship our God and King.
Come, let us worship Christ, our God and King.
Come, let us worship and fall down before the very same Lord Jesus Christ, our God and King.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness* In your compassion blot out my offence.• O wash me more and more from my guilt* and cleanse me from my sin.• My offences truly I know them;* my sin is always before me.• Against you, you alone, have I sinned;* what is evil in your sight I have done.• That you may be justified when you give sentence* and be without reproach when you judge.• O see, in iniquities was I born,* a sinner was I conceived.• Indeed you love truth in the heart;* then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.• O purify me, then I shall be clean;* O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.• Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,* that the bones you have crushed may thrill.• From my sins turn away your face* and blot out all my guilt.• A pure heart create for me, O God,* put a steadfast spirit within me.• Do not cast me away from your presence,* nor deprive me of your holy Spirit.• Give me again the joy of your salvation;* with a spirit of fervour sustain me,• that I may teach transgressors your ways* and sinners may return to you.• O rescue me, God, my helper,* and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.• O Lord, open my lips* and my mouth shall declare your praise.• For in sacrifice you take no delight,* burnt offering from me you would refuse,• my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.* A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.• In your goodness, show favour to Zion;* rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.• Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,* (burnt offerings wholly consumed),* then you will be offered young bulls on your altar.
Troparia of Repentance, Tone 6
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.* We sinners bring this appeal to You, O Master, for we have no defence.* Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for we have put our trust in You.* Be not exceedingly angry with us and do not remember our transgressions,* but look upon us now with compassion.* Redeem us from our enemies, for You are our God, and we are Your people.* We are all the works of Your hands,* and we call upon Your name.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Open the doors of mercy to us, O blessed Mother of God,* that we who hope in you may not perish* but be delivered by you from danger,* for you are the salvation of the Christian people.
Silent Prayer
In your own words ask God to give you the grace to make a good examination of conscience, the courage to make a sincere and complete confession, and the strength to amend your way of life in the days to come.
Examination of Conscience
Begin your examination with the time of your last confession. Try to recall whether you omitted anything from fear of embarrassment that needs to be confessed. With the help of the self-examination provided, call to mind all the sin you have committed since your last confession.
The Ten Commandments
1. Putting God First: I am the Lord your God; you shall not have other gods before me.
Has God been the source, centre, and hope of my life? Have I put myself, anyone, or anything before God? Have I given to anyone or anything the love, honour and worship that belongs to God alone? Have I made an idol of any person, idea, occupation, or thing? Have I failed to trust in God, His love and mercy? Have I failed to pray to God and to worship Him faithfully? Have I been thankful for God’s blessings? Have I doubted the Christian faith? Have I tried to serve God and keep His Commandments faithfully? Have I murmured or complained against God in adversities?
2. Respect for God: You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.
Do I have a deep and sincere respect for God and His Holy Name? Have I shown disrespect to God, either in word or deed? Have I dishonoured God’s Name in any way? Have I sworn a false oath? Have I broken any solemn promise or vow that was done before God? Have I cursed or used foul language?
3. Respect for the Lord’s Day: Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
Have I worshiped God faithfully on Sundays and major holy days? Have I helped others to do the same, or have I discouraged them ? Have I worked or shopped unnecessarily on Sundays or major holy days? Have I caused others to do so? Have I spent the Lord’s Day in wholesome and edifying ways? Have I made time for family and friends?
4. Respect for Parents and Authority: Honour your father and mother.
Have I loved and respected my parents as I should? Have I neglected them, or failed to help them? Have l disobeyed them, deceived them, or caused them pain by my words and deeds? Have I treated my family members with patience and love? Have I respected my teachers, superiors, employers (those who are in authority) as I should? Have I disobeyed or deceived them by my words or deeds? Have I treated fairly all those who have worked for me?
5. Respect for Human Life: You shall not kill.
Have I caused the harm, injury, or death of anyone? Have I wished my own or anyone’s harm or death? Have I caused others to sin? Have I abused my health or the health of others by evil and intemperate living (i.e., drugs, alcohol, etc.)? Have l given way to anger or hatred? Have I failed to forgive anyone or harboured evil thoughts against them? Have I been cruel to anyone? Have I encouraged someone in procuring an abortion? Have I had an abortion?
6. & 9. Respect for Marriage: You shall not commit adultery. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.
Have I committed any sin of lust, alone, or with others (masturbation, fornication, adultery)? Have I caused others to commit impure acts? Have I sinned by giving way to impure thoughts, words, or conversations? Have I read immoral books or magazines, visited indecent websites, or delighted in obscenity of any kind? Have l associated with bad company or frequented placed of ill-repute? Do I maintain modesty and decency in dress? Have I practiced birth control and/or artificial contraception?
7. & 10. Respect for Private Property: You shall not steal. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour.
Have l taken or kept anything that was not mine? Have l cheated anyone? Have I caused others to steal or cheat? Have I tried to find the owners of lost things I have found? Have I damaged or destroyed anything that belonged to another? Have I defrauded anyone of their rightful wages? Have I paid my debts? Have I worked honesty and conscientiously for my wages? Did I spend beyond my means? Do I give alms according to my capacity? Have I looked with envy, jealousy or hatred toward the possessions, talents, or achievements of others? Have I desired the downfall or loss of others out of evil intent that I might benefit? Have I grieved that God has bestowed greater blessing on others than on me?
8. Respect for Truth: You shall not bear false witness.
Have I given false testimony against anyone? Have l spoken evil, told lies, or spread rumours about anyone? Have I unjustly accused someone? Have l disclosed to anyone the sins and faults of another? Have l betrayed the confidence of another? Have I made careless statements or done anything else to harm the good name and reputation of another person? Have I engaged in idle gossip, (discussing that which is doubtful as if it were true), hearsay and backbiting?
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Have l truly recognized my complete dependence on God? Have I been proud, arrogant, and self-righteous? Have I been selfish, greedy, possessive and self-seeking? Have I sought after status, recognition, power, material possessions and wealth?
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Have l endured difficulties and afflictions with faith and patience? Do I have compassion for the poor, the hungry, and addicted, the sick the lonely and the sinful of the world? Have I truly been sorrowful for my sins and faults?
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Am I gentle with others, or am I harsh in my behaviour? Do I seek to dominate others at home, school, work, office, church and elsewhere? Have l lost my temper? Have I nursed hatred in my heart or the desire for revenge? Have I been impatient, resentful, bitter, unforgiving, or insulting and abusive to others? Have l loved my enemies?
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Do I thirst for holiness? Do I truly yearn for God’s Will to be done in my life and in all things? Have I tried to cultivate a righteous and holy life through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, worship, the reading of Holy Scripture, frequent Confession and Communion? Have I been lukewarm in my faith? Have I been lazy, negligent, or apathetical?
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Have I been merciful to others? Have l turned away from someone who needed my help? Have I turned my back on someone poor, hungry, rejected, lonely and needy? Have I tried to understand and to forgive others? Have I been indifferent or judgmental?
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Do I love purity and honesty? Have I been dishonest in my speech or actions? Have the motives or intentions of my actions been evil or selfish? Have I given way to lust, impure thoughts, words or deeds? Have I been guilty of prejudice? Have I been hypocritical, pretentious, or self-indulgent to sinful passions?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Am I at peace with God? Do I have His peace in my heart? Have l been angry, aggressive ,or impatient? Do I foster peace at home, work, church, and community? Have I been irritable or polemical? Have I caused division and discord? Is my criticism harmful and disruptive, or does it build up others in charity?
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you on my account; rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Have I complained when persecuted for God’s sake? Have I prayed for my enemies? Have I failed to defend people who are right for fear of humiliation or persecution? Have I had the courage to stand up for the truth despite criticism, ridicule, or persecution? Am I afraid to witness my faith in Christ Jesus?
Is the joy of Christ in my heart, even in trying moments? Do I give thanks to God in all circumstances, or do I complain often? Have I been pessimistic, negative, despondent, or despairing? Have I truly delighted in the promise of God’s treasures in heaven?
Sorrow for Sins and Desire to Amend Your Life
It is very important that you be truly sorry for the sins which you have committed and that you firmly resolve to amend your manner of living.
Confession of Sins
Once you are ready, approach the priest and make the sign of the Cross, saying:
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Glory to Jesus Christ!
I confess to Almighty God, One in the Holy Trinity, to Mary the most pure Mother of God, to all the Saints, and to you, father, all my sins.
Next mention how long it has been since your last confession:
It has been …… since my last confession. These are my sins ……
Confess your sins. When you have said everything, complete your confession with the following:
These are all the sins that I remember. For all these sins I am truly sorry.
The priest will assign you a penance. Then say aloud the following Act of Contrition:
O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
O God, cleanse me of my sins and mercy on me.
I have sinned many times, forgive me, O Lord.
The priest will pray the prayer of forgiveness (absolution) and conclude with a blessing.
Penance
Return to your place and give thanks to God for His goodness.
O Almighty and merciful God, I truly thank You for the forgiveness of my sins; bless me, O Lord, and help me always, that I may always do that which is pleasing to You, and to sin no more. Amen.
Fulfil the penance that has been assigned to you. Doing penance is a way of showing God your gratitude for His mercy and forgiveness, your willingness to change your life, and your desire to atone for your sins.