A GUIDE FOR THE
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Five Easy Steps for a Good Confession!

STEP 1: Prayerfully examine your conscience by reading the rest of this guide. If you are unsure or afraid to confess your sins, ask the priest to help you.
STEP 2: When it is your turn, begin by making the sign of the cross and say, "Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (TELL HOW LONG: a month, a year, five years, etc.) since my last confession."
STEP 3: The priest may give you a blessing and read a part of the Bible. When he stops, you say, "These are my sins...(TELL WHAT KIND OF SIN and TELL HOW MANY TIMES YOU COMMITTED EACH SIN). You may conclude by saying: ...For these and all my sins, I am sorry."
STEP 2: When it is your turn, begin by making the sign of the cross and say, "Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (TELL HOW LONG: a month, a year, five years, etc.) since my last confession."
STEP 3: The priest may give you a blessing and read a part of the Bible. When he stops, you say, "These are my sins...(TELL WHAT KIND OF SIN and TELL HOW MANY TIMES YOU COMMITTED EACH SIN). You may conclude by saying: ...For these and all my sins, I am sorry."
I. I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD YOU SHALL NOT
HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.

Have I...
...failed to make God the #1 Person in my life?
...worshiped false gods like the Golden Calf, money, power, popularity?
...denied the existence of God
...become a cafeteria Catholic picking and choosing the things I want to believe, and rejecting the rest?
...presumed that I will go to heaven or given into despair?
...Other?
...failed to make God the #1 Person in my life?
...worshiped false gods like the Golden Calf, money, power, popularity?
...denied the existence of God
...become a cafeteria Catholic picking and choosing the things I want to believe, and rejecting the rest?
...presumed that I will go to heaven or given into despair?
...Other?
VI. YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Have I...
...had sex with someone other than my spouse (adultery)?
...used condoms, the pill, or other contraceptive devices?
...used pornographic materials or been sterilized?
...masturbated, had impure thoughts, desires or actions (lust)?
...engaged in pre-marital sex or foreplay (fornication)?
...participated in homosexual acts (sodomy)?
...Other?
...had sex with someone other than my spouse (adultery)?
...used condoms, the pill, or other contraceptive devices?
...used pornographic materials or been sterilized?
...masturbated, had impure thoughts, desires or actions (lust)?
...engaged in pre-marital sex or foreplay (fornication)?
...participated in homosexual acts (sodomy)?
...Other?
VII. YOU SHALL NOT STEAL

Have I...
...taken what did not belong to me or failed to return what I have borrowed?
...cheated: on tests, on my taxes, my employer, or my
employees?
...wasted natural resources, neglected to pay my debts or to act in charity?
...failed to give generously of my time, talent, and treasure to the Church?
...Other?
...taken what did not belong to me or failed to return what I have borrowed?
...cheated: on tests, on my taxes, my employer, or my
employees?
...wasted natural resources, neglected to pay my debts or to act in charity?
...failed to give generously of my time, talent, and treasure to the Church?
...Other?
ACT OF CONTRITION

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 what ever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His Name, my God have mercy.