In this time of limited mobility, Confession are available only on Saturdays at 3:00 P.M. The Church also provides for all who are unable to confess their sins and receive sacramental absolution. They may do so privately.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Penance requires the sinner to endure all things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice complete humility and fruitful satisfaction.” (CCC 1450) The Catechism also states that, “Perfect Act of Contrition, a sorrow for sins committed, remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.” (CCC1452)
Below, please find a proposed outline, helping you to make the perfect Act of Contrition. You may do so in front of a crucifix.
1. Make the Sign of the Cross:
“In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
2. Read from the Gospel of St. Luke 18: 9 – 14.
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
3. Make a good examination of conscience.
4. Say the Act of Contrition and make a resolution to come to Sacramental Confession as soon as it is possible.
O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.
5. Petitions:
- Lord, I ask you to give me grace of a good confession.
- Lord, I ask you to offer your forgiveness to me a sinner.
- Lord, I ask that all your children, who by sinning have
abandoned your Church, after receiving your forgiveness
may return home.
6. Pray: “Our Father…”
7. Say the Psalm 51:3-9.
Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash away my guilt;
and from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my transgressions;
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your eyes
So that you are just in your word,
and without reproach in your judgment.
Behold, I was born in guilt,
in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, you desire true sincerity;
and secretly you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8. Conclude with:
“Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now and will be fore ever. Amen.”
